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Witness helps SLC Police catch suspected carjacker

Posted at 4:07 PM, Mar 16, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-17 09:25:16-04

SALT LAKE CITY — Police apprehended an alleged carjacker in Salt Lake City Sunday morning due to some quick action by a witness.

At approximately 9:20 a.m., two men were carjacked at gunpoint at a Maverik gas station near 500 East and 300 South in Salt Lake City, according to police.

The suspect forced the victims to drive to an apartment complex behind the gas station where he robbed them, said Lt. Scott White, Salt Lake City Police Department.

Both victims escaped without being harmed and returned to the gas station. However, police were already in the area due to a call from another witness.

“Our Victims didn’t call. Another witness that was in a parking stall next to them, [who saw] this all take place. She goes in, pretends to notice nothing, doesn’t say anything, goes inside and calls us; gets the officers coming here which was great on her part,” said Lt. White.

The victims told officers the carjacker was running down 600 East. Police took the man into custody and located a gun as well as the victims credit cards. Lt. White estimated it took about 30 minutes from the time of the carjacking until the suspect was arrested.

“Pretty fortunate, pretty lucky that she called and again [the victims] weren’t harmed, because he did have a gun,” Lt. White said.