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Sandra Yi reportingProsecutors have filed charges against two of the three suspects connected to a rash of violent armed robberies in the Avenues.
Prosecutors say federal charges are warranted because the suspects affected the flow of business when they robbed several stores at the Smith's shopping center on May 5. "I think law enforcement and the gang unit find these particular defendants to be quite dangerous," Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos Esqueda said.
Federal prosecutors say Lynn Tiatia waited by the getaway car while two others robbed three businesses at gunpoint.
Court documents reveal another man, Louis Hamilton, robbed the Dollar Cuts store and allegedly pistol-whipped a worker there.
At the same time, a teenager allegedly hit the Henrie's Dry Cleaners and Subway. Esqueda said, "They made definite efforts to plan these types of robberies. They did a pretty good job of it."
Court documents say the suspects bought Airsoft BB guns, spray painted them black, and then carjacked someone to commit the robberies.
The investigation led police to the teenage suspect, who reportedly confessed to the crimes and gave up the names of his accomplices.
Police and prosecutors pushed for federal charges against the adult suspects, saying it affected the running of the businesses, which is a violation of federal law.
That means if convicted they'll face harsher penalties, up to 20 years in federal prison for each robbery charge. Esqueda said, "Summer months are coming upon us. These types of crimes tend to increase during the summer months. We want to jump on this, in conjunction with the FBI and the Salt Lake City Police Department, [and] put an end to this rather quickly."
There is a federal warrant out for Louis Hamilton. The teenager will not be prosecuted federally because of his age.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
