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SOUTH JORDAN — A second man has been arrested in connection with the severe beating of a smoke shop employee with a rock.
After high-quality pictures of the three suspects were posted by local media on Thursday, Brandon Dvorak turned himself in to police Thursday night, said South Jordan police officer Sam Winkler.
Winkler said Dvorak is a "drifter from Mississippi" who was staying at a residence in Sandy.
Dvorak, along with Cole Covington, 20, of Saratoga Springs, and a man named Gage King, are accused of robbing the Smoke Spot, 1074 W. South Jordan Parkway (10400 South), on Monday. During the robbery, a 33-year-old employee was taken to a back room and hit several times in the face and head with an object that appeared to be a rock or a chunk of a cinder block. The incident was captured on surveillance video in the back room.
Investigators believe King was the one who assaulted the clerk, according to Winkler. Although the others were not believed to have thrown any punches, Winkler said they did nothing to try and stop it, render aid to the victim or call the police.
South Jordan Police Department
Based on the pictures taken from the surveillance video, many tipsters immediately pointed to Covington who was arrested Thursday afternoon for investigation of aggravated assault.
The store clerk was released from the hospital Thursday. Winkler said he is recovering from severe head trauma and has limited speaking ability because of a broken jaw and multiple facial fractures.
Anyone with information about King or where he may be can call at 801-840-4000.
