This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Four teens were arrested and a fifth juvenile remained at large Monday after a string of violent street robberies culminated in a police chase involving a stolen car in West Valley City.
West Valley City police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku said the group of teens allegedly had robbed three victims — two in Kearns and one in West Valley City — between 12:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. Monday.
The victims were assaulted as they walked on the streets. While one suspect held a knife to their throats, they were robbed of cash, cellphone and other items. The suspects then drove off in a black Honda Accord.
After the third robbery, West Valley City and Unified Police officers were on the lookout for the suspects' vehicle.
Two WVCPD officers spotted the vehicle at 5400 South and 4000 West and, checking its plates, learned it had been stolen. The five teens inside the car also matched descriptions of the armed robbery suspects.
Police followed the car as it drove a circuitous route through the area until another WVCPD officer successfully spiked its tires.
"Then officers pursued the vehicle for several blocks before the driver stopped ... at 4320 West and 5400 South and five occupants fled on foot," Vainuku said.
Two of the suspects were apprehended after a short foot chase, and a short time later two more of the teens were cornered by police dogs and taken into custody. The fifth youth eluded the dragnet and remained at large Monday afternoon.
Two of the victims positively identified the four suspects in custody as their assailants, but none of the teens were cooperating with investigators.
All four suspects — males ages 13, 14 and 16, and a 17-year-old female — were booked into the youth detention on suspicion of felony aggravated robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, evading and fleeing police, resisting arrest and weapons offenses.
Those in custody — two from Kearns, two from West Valley City — all were listed as runaways with active "pick up" orders, Vainuku said.
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