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Utah junior cornerback Dominique Hatfield was arrested and booked into Salt Lake County Metro jail on suspicion of aggravated robbery early Wednesday morning.
According to a Unified Police release and probable cause statement, the victim intended to purchase a video game console he'd seen advertised online when he met Hatfield early Tuesday evening at a 655 W. 3900 South car wash. Hatfield pulled a knife on the man, police said, and demanded his money before taking $180 in cash and fleeing on foot to a nearby apartment complex.
According to police, the victim's wife then noticed that the same seller, identified as "David Wilkins," was selling an iPhone. She arranged another meeting with Hatfield at the same car wash.
This time, police said, Hatfield was met by Unified Police and arrested without incident. The victim, who was uninjured, identified Hatfield as the same man who allegedly held him up hours earlier.
Chief deputy Justin Hoyal told The Tribune that Hatfield was unarmed at the time of his arrest.
Hatfield is represented by prominent Salt Lake defense attorney Greg Skordas and Greg Phillips, a partner at Phillips, Ryther & Winchester who is also the father of junior kicker Andy Phillips.
Phillips emphasized that no charges had been filed as of Wednesday evening and that Hatfield is presumed innocent.
Bail was set at $50,000.
Utah coaches take their vacations during July and were not immediately available for comment. Head coach Kyle Whittingham's phone did not ring, and he's believed to be out of cellphone range.
Senior associate athletics director Liz Abel told The Tribune that coaches typically let the legal system run its course without commenting, and that Whittingham will review the facts at the earliest opportunity.
Hatfield was an almost certain starter. Last year, he made the switch from wideout in fall camp after a season-ending injury to Reggie Porter and quickly established himself as a reliable corner. Hatfield recorded 38 tackles and broke up nine passes, including an interception returned for a touchdown against Colorado.
Tribune columnist Gordon Monson wrote last year about how Hatfield overcame a rough background in Los Angeles to earn an athletic scholarship.
Twitter: @matthew_piper