(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Girl Scouts, Front L-R: Addi Fullerton, Rachel Gallegos, Daisy Fullerton, Kennedi Leon. Back L-R: Natalie Pitts, Rae Steinke, Sarah Kendall, Sid Holtz, and Michaela Boyette, Monday, March 18, 2013. The girl scouts were robbed Saturday when a man grabbed the cash box off the table where they were selling cookies outside of a Taylorsville Wal-Mart.

Police identify 2 suspects in Girl Scout cookie cash theft

By Jim Dalrymple II

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Mar 19 2013 02:24 pm • Last Updated Mar 20 2013 08:27 pm

Police have identified a duo suspected of stealing a cash box from a Girl Scout troop that was selling cookies in Taylorsville.

Unified Police Detective Ken Hansen said Tuesday that Steven A. Kvenvold and Kayla Long, both 24, are responsible for the Saturday theft at the Wal-Mart located 5469 S. Redwood Road (1700 West). Kvenvold, who police say actually swiped the cash box, remains at large. Hansen said Long was arrested a few days ago on unrelated warrants and is now in Salt Lake County jail.

The theft happened Saturday about 4 p.m. when Kvenvold approached the Girl Scouts of troop 2532 selling cookies outside the Wal-Mart. Kvenvold allegedly got out of his car and pretended to be interested in buying Thin Mints.

But rather than buy the cookies, police allege, Kvenvold grabbed the girls’ cash box and jumped into a car driven by Long.

The suspects were identified with a tip, Hansen explained. Police do not expect to recover the stolen money.

A police department press release says the car has been impounded.

Kvenvold has one 2012 conviction for second-degree attempted aggravated robbery. In 2011, Long pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony for drug possession. Long also has four misdemeanor convictions for theft.

Saturday’s theft has startled and shocked the community. Troop leader Jeanette Williams said Monday that the girls have sold cookies at that location for years and never had any problems. Girl Scout Kennedi Leon, who was working at the table where that Kvenvold reportedly targeted, added that she was so shocked she didn’t know what to do.

Taylorsville Mayor Jerry Rechtenbach responded to the crime by inviting the troop to sell cookies at city hall on Saturday. Williams said the troop would accept the offer and will be selling cookies from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2600 W. 5400 South.

Anyone with information about the theft may contact UPD at 801-743-7075.

jdalrymple@sltrib.com

Twitter: @jimmycdii

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