This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Police are looking for two suspected drug dealers who assaulted and robbed a would-be customer in downtown Salt Lake City during a crack cocaine deal gone bad.
The incident occurred just before 11 p.m. Saturday outside the Road Home shelter, at 225 S. 500 West.
The purported victim told police he went to the shelter area to purchase crack, first arming himself with a 9mm pistol and 12-inch knife for protection — precautions that proved ineffective.
He met with two men, one black and the other Latino. Trouble began when the drug dealers offered the victim crystal methamphetamine instead of cocaine, and he refused.
As the tension apparently grew, the victim told the pair he had a gun and knife and didn't want any trouble. The black man allegedly demanded to see the gun, and when the victim complied, the suspect took it away from him.
The two then beat the man, also taking his money and the knife.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call SLCPD at 801-799-3000.
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