This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
They were hardly Bonnie and Clyde, but police say a divorced couple suspected in more than two dozen mostly fast food outlet holdups throughout the Salt Lake Valley over the past few weeks are now behind bars.
A Papa John's Pizza, at 1844 E. Fort Union Boulevard in Cottonwood Heights, had just been robbed at gunpoint about 3 p.m. Thursday when a Cottonwood Heights police officer spotted the suspect vehicle, a silver Mazda 3. The officer made a traffic stop, but the suspect sped off when the officer approached the car on foot.
Unified Police and Murray officers helped the Cottonwood Heights officer block in the suspect vehicle near 7800 South and 700 East in neighboring Midvale a few minutes later. The suspects — identified as Mathew Alan Kuepper, 32, and his ex-wife, Kellie Lynn Kuepper, 31 — put their hands out the cars windows and surrendered.
"We were able to take them into custody with no further problems. Inside the car, officers found an airsoft pistol, altered to look like a real one," said CHPD Sgt. Ryan Shosted on Friday.
Mathew Kuepper, who has a criminal history of drug, robbery and theft convictions, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of eight first-degree felony counts of aggravated robbery. Police allege he was the one who entered robbery targets, displaying the pistol and demanding cash.
A probable cause statement notes that Kuepper, after waiving his right to remain silent, confessed to the robberies.
He also told detectives that he committed the holdups to support his crack cocaine and heroin habits, using the cash to make drug deals outside the downtown Salt Lake City Road Home shelter at 210 S. Rio Grande.
Kellie Kuepper, who has 2014 convictions for misdemeanor DUI and attempted possession of a controlled substance on her record, was booked on suspicion of two first-degree felony aggravated robbery counts. She allegedly acted as her husband's lookout during the crimes.
As of Friday, the two remained in jail without bail.
However, more robbery charges are likely. Shosted said the couple had admitted during questioning to numerous holdups, but are suspected in at least 25 throughout the valley since the first week of June.
Papa John's, the last on the couple's alleged robbery hit parade, was believed the sixth outlet of that pizza chain they robbed since beginning their spree on June 6 at a Murray Papa John's.
Two Subway restaurants, in Taylorsville and Salt Lake City, as well as other eateries and small businesses in South Salt Lake, West Valley City, and Salt Lake County, also robbed.
The Kuepper's were divorced in April 2015, court records show.
Twitter: @remims