This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
West Valley City police suspect a botched early Wednesday morning armed robbery in which a pedestrian was shot likely is connected to a similar holdup just moments earlier in neighboring West Jordan.
Just before midnight, two men were walking along 2600 W. Sugar Factory Road (8300 S.) in West Jordan when the two suspects, driving separate cars, pulled up beside them. At gunpoint, the suspects reportedly stole a backpack and cellphone before driving off.
Within an hour, police believe the same gunmen accosted a man and woman walking in the area of 2800 West and 4100 South.
"The man told our officers that he and the woman were walking along 4100 S. when they passed two parked cars. The suspects got out and approached them from behind, demanding the woman's purse," WVCPD spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku said.
The man, 32, and woman, 18, refused and kept walking. Two gunshots rang out, one of them striking the man in the arm. The suspects sped from the scene, one reportedly driving a dark-colored sedan and the other a silver car.
The suspects were described as black males, one bald, tall and thin wearing a gray shirt and dark pants, and the other about 5-foot-6, and wearing dreadlocks, a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.
The wounded man was taken to the hospital, where he was in good condition.
Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to call police at 801-840-4000.
Twitter: @remims