Sandy home invaders claimed to be police officers

Two gunmen claiming to be police officers broke into a Sandy apartment early Thursday morning in an apparent quest for drugs, but left empty-handed.

Sandy police Sgt. Jon Arnold said officers were dispatched to an apartment near 745 E. Lazon Drive (9140 South) about 12:30 a.m. Thursday after receiving a 911 call reporting the home invasion.

The victim, a man in his 20s, said he answered a knock at his door by the men claiming they were "law enforcement." The victim tried to look out the door's peephole, but the suspects were shining a flashlight directly into it; then the suspects broke in the door.

The men, believe to be white and of average height and build, were wearing masks and shirts or jackets emblazoned with the label "Police." Armed with a handgun and an assault-style rifle, the two knocked the victim to the floor, zip-tied his hands and beat him before rifling through the apartment's contents.

As the two men searched bedrooms, the victim was able to get to his feet and run outside, shouting for help.

The suspects then ran out of the apartment and into the night.

The victim indicated the invaders took nothing with them, Arnold said.

The victim's girlfriend also was in the apartment but was not harmed.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Sandy police at 801-799-3000.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims