Police: A man tried to rob two stores, but it didn't work

West Valley City police suspect the same robber tried to rob two businesses in a row, but didn't get away with any cash from either.

The man first walked into a Subway, near 5600 W. 3500 South, about 9 a.m. Saturday and demanded money from the clerk, said police Lt. Lamonte Cox. He also told the clerk that "he had a piece," Cox said, though the employee never saw a weapon.

The clerk told him that she needed a key to open the register, at which point the suspect turned around and left, Cox said.

Then, at 9:17 a.m., police received a call from the Family Dollar store near 4700 W. 3500 South about a suspect matching his description. In that case, he went into the store and demanded money from the clerk, but that employee told him that we would have to "wait a minute as she talks to another customer," Cox said. Again, the suspect took off.

The man is described as being about 5-foot-7, possibly in his mid 20s, and was wearing a red University of Utah hoodie and sunglasses, Cox said.

The Subway clerk thought she saw him get into a white, newer passenger car, Cox said.

Anyone with information about the suspect can call the West Valley City police at 801-840-4000.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

Twitter: @mikeypanda