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WEST VALLEY CITY — A random robbery outside a restaurant in West Valley City serves as a reminder to the public to be aware of your surroundings instead of caught up in your cell phone, police say.
Twenty-four-year-old Trenton Hills has worked as a dishwasher at the Tonkotsu Ramen Bar, 1898 W. 3500 South, for about five months.
A few weeks ago, after putting away the last dish, he stepped outside for just a few minutes. "(I was) standing there, just messing around on my phone," he said.
While Hills' attention was glued to his smart phone, two men approached.
"Right when they walked up to me, they're like, 'Hey, let me see your phone,'" Hills said. "I just remember them coming up, me trying to run, getting tripped and then getting beat up."
The attack was caught on surveillance video.
"I ended up being out of work for five days because my shoulder was too sore to work," he added.
Lt. Scott Buchanan of the West Valley City Police Department said it was a perfect crime of opportunity.
"They went after the one thing they can sell on the street for a few bucks," he said.
Buchanan said the crime serves as a good lesson for everyone.
"All we would ask is people pay attention to their surroundings," he said.
As Hills learned that night, you never know what can happen when you're not looking, and you never know what petty thieves may try to steal.
"I had my whole paycheck on me that night, in cash," Hills said, "and all they wanted was a cell phone?"
Buchanan said it's especially important to be aware of your surroundings if you're alone late at night.
Police have made no arrests in the robbery. Anyone with information should contact West Valley City police at 801-840-4000.
