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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingTwo bank robbery suspects were arrested this morning after taking off in a taxi. The cab driver didn't know anything about the robbery until police tried to pull him over with the couple in the car.
A man went into the Zions Bank this morning demanding cash. When he got it, he took off running, joining up with a woman who police say helped him plan the robbery. The two got in a taxi just down the street, near the Chuck-a-Rama.
Ray Moosman was just driving his taxi like usual when he got a call to pick someone up at the Chuck-A-Rama on 4th South. He hadn't quite pulled in before a man and woman came running to the cab.
Ray Moosman, Taxi Driver: "They come in quite a hurry down the street and got in my cab. They says, 'Take us to 9th South and 4th East.'"
Moosman says he didn't notice much unusual behavior, except for the mode of payment.
Ray Moosman: "She says, 'You got change for a 50?" I said, 'Yeah, I do.' She says, 'If you want to give me back 30, I'll give you 20.' I thought, that's kind of strange for a five-dollar trip."
Moosman took the 20 and kept driving until the cops pulled up behind him and approached the cab with guns in their hands.
Ray Moosman: "I knew then that I had some bad characters. Naturally, I think, geez, I hope I don't get caught in the crossfire here."
But his passengers, Kelly Sean Valdez and Marissa Rose, gave up without a fight. It turns out they were wanted on suspicion of robbing a Zions Bank across the street. Someone had seen them get in the cab.
Joe Syr, Salt Lake Police Department: "The witness called police, gave a description of the cab and the suspect. Very observant officers four blocks away stopped the cab."
As Valdez and Rose were arrested, Moosman had to give his fare money back to police since the money was stolen. He's just happy he's safe.
Ray Moosman: "It's a little excitement, all right. When you get looking at guns and not knowing what's gonna happen. I was nervous there at one time."
Police say Valdez did not have a weapon on him. Both suspects were arrested on robbery charges. Officers also found drug paraphernalia on Valdez.
