This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
South Jordan police needed just 20 minutes to hunt down and arrest two robbery suspects.
SJPD spokesman Sam Winkler said a 911 call came in at 4 p.m. Thursday after a Wal-Mart security officer, attempting to stop two male shoplifters, was threatened by one of them who claimed he had a concealed handgun.
The thieves drove off from the 11328 S. Jordan Gateway address, but officers soon spotted them entering a nearby Harmons store, at 10507 S. Redwood Road. Officers closed in: one suspect was arrested when he came back out of the front entrance, while the second suspect was nabbed trying to flee out a back fire door — setting off the alarm in the process.
Police did not immediately find a firearm, but did recover more than $500 worth in items stolen from Wal-Mart, ranging from movies to clothing.
The suspects, Magna men ages 28 and 24, were booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of aggravated robbery, retail theft and fleeing police. Both men have extensive criminal records ranging from assault, drug distribution and possession to multiple shoplifting arrests.
One of them also had several active warrants out for his arrest, Winkler said.
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