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Whit Johnson Reporting It's become a multi-agency man hunt for two shotgun-wielding robbers. Police believe the same men may have hit five restaurants in the last week. Formosa Grille in Salt Lake City is the scene of the latest robbery.
Police believe there's a pattern here -- two men wearing masks, one with a shotgun, robbing restaurants like this one. These crimes are very dangerous, and police say they're doing everything they can to put these guys behind bars.
Spencer Dickson, manager of 5 Buck Pizza described the experience. "I saw the barrel of a shotgun, and I was like OK,this is real."
For Spencer Dickson and his employees at 5 Buck Pizza, it was very real. Two masked men, one armed with a shotgun, barged in the front door demanding money.
"As a manager and as the only guy, I felt responsible for them and I'm laying on the floor, I didn't know what was going to happen," Dickson said.
It was a scary experience, but Spencer's not alone. Five armed robberies in about a week have local police on high alert.
Sergeant Rich Brede of the Salt Lake Police Deptartment said, "That's ultimately what we want. If these are happening in a series, catch them now, hopefully the series ends."
The first to be hit was Teriyaki Express last week in Taylorsville. Last Friday it was Neil's Halibut ‘N' Chips in Holladay; Tuesday it was 5 Buck Pizza in West Jordan; Wednesday it was Cancun Café in Fort Union; and last night Formosa Grill in Sugar House was hit.
"There's possibilities for accidents, for negligent discharge, you know things of that nature. Any time you have a firearm involved in these it definitely ups the ante," said Brede.
It's certainly a dangerous situation, and for those who experienced it firsthand, the frightening images will never be forgotten.
Police don't have great descriptions of the two men because they were covered up with masks, hats and heavy clothing. If you have any information that could help police, please give them a call.
