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Whit Johnson reportingPolice have two people behind bars for a violent string of armed robberies.
Three different stores were held up at gunpoint last week at a shopping center in the Avenues. There's still at least one suspect on the run, but police say they have an idea of who they're looking for.
Today it's back to business as usual. But for nearly a week now, businesses like Henrie's Cleaners, Dollar Cuts and Subway at an Avenues shopping center have been working on edge.
"It was just horrible," said Lisa Leasy, of Henrie's Cleaners.
Ashley Squire, hairstylist at Dollar Cuts, said, "The worst part is just knowing that we were so helpless. They could be clients of ours for all we know."
On the evening of May 5, three gunmen robbed all three stores simultaneously. In the process, one employee was pistol-whipped, a woman was held up for her purse in the parking lot, and the getaway vehicle was previously carjacked.
Police believe the suspects are gang members. "A lot of our gang crime is violent, so it is good that we do have these people in custody. And again, we're trying to get that third person as soon as possible," explained Detective Shawn Smart, with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Police say surveillance video from the Subway robbery helped lead to the arrests of two suspects. Eighteen-year-old Lynn Tiatia was taken into custody over the weekend along with a male juvenile.
Meanwhile, as police search for others who may be involved, victims are still reliving the crime. "A gunman came in, and he was wearing all black and he just went right behind the counter and kind of attacked our receptionist," Squire said.
Some employees have even been afraid to come to work, so the news of two suspects behind bars has come with some relief. "I was hoping that they would catch them. I didn't know if they ever would, but I'm glad to hear that they have," Leasy said.
The Avenues neighborhood in Salt Lake City is usually known as a quiet area. Crimes like this are not very common there.
If you have any information about the third person involved, call Salt Lake City police at 799-3000.
E-mail: wjohnson@ksl.com
