Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST JORDAN — Criminal charges have been filed against two men who police say were involved in a violent robbery that included smashing a store clerk's face with a rock.
Gage Marty King, 23, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, and Cole Lee Covington, 20, of Lehi, were each charged in 3rd District Court Monday with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony.
On July 7, King and Covington went to the Smoke Spot, 1074 W. South Jordan Parkway (10400 South), with the intention of robbing it, according to charging documents. Police say King had approached Covington about participating.
A store clerk was taken into a back room during the robbery and was struck in the head with a rock, according to the charges. Surveillance video showed King was the one who hit the clerk.
The clerk remained hospitalized for a few days and underwent surgery for severe head trauma and multiple facial fractures.
South Jordan police received numerous tips after releasing the surveillance video to the public, which led to the Covington's arrest. King remained active on social media for several days before turning himself in to police.
He allegedly posted on the news website SweetwaterNOW.com: "I was the one that was going to get (severely) hurt had I not done that. Our friend with the broken jaw called the police two days after the fact and his video was cropped not showing why I hit (him). I'm not going to prison and am in contact with law enforcement. Guess what? I'd be dead had I not. Love you all."
Bail for King was set at $125,000 and $100,000 for Covington.
A third man who was originally arrested in connection with the incident had not been charged as of Tuesday.
