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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — A police officer on his way to work shot a man suspected of robbing two grocery stories Tuesday morning. The man was hospitalized in fair but stable condition.
Zane Anthony James, 19, of Cottonwood Heights, was wanted for allegedly robbing a Smith's Food and Drug, 2039 E. 9400 South, at gunpoint about 3:15 a.m., and then a Macey's grocery store, 7850 S. 1300 East, just as it opened at 6 a.m., according to police.
In both cases, a man with the same description riding a motorcycle was involved.
About 10 minutes after the Macey's robbery, a Cottonwood Heights police officer headed to work spotted the motorcycle. A short pursuit ended in a residential area near 6675 S. 2200 East.
Details about what transpired next were not released Tuesday. Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Ryan Shosted did not know if James had been pulled over. He also did not know what prompted the officer to open fire. Because the officer was just on his way to work, he had not picked up his body camera yet that was charging in the office, Shosted said.
Salt Lake police are handling the officer-involved shooting. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Now @CHPolice now telling us two armed robbery earlier this morning in #Sandy. Suspect was shot by police, he was on a motorcycle and is in fair condition #KSLAMpic.twitter.com/2hQDe58btY
— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) May 29, 2018
It appears @slcpd is handling this officer involved shooting investigation in Cottonwood Heights. Their team members just arrived to the scene. @KSL5TV#KSLAMpic.twitter.com/d4gjTUiyFK
— Caitlin Burchill (@newsyCaitlin) May 29, 2018
Cottonwood Heights police say James has a "signficant" criminal history with them. Last year, he was arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies in the area that happened on an almost weekly basis for five weeks, including robberies at GameStop, Subway and World Market.
Due to "evidence issues," however, two counts of aggravated robbery for incidents at the Subway and Game Stop were dismissed in September, according to court records.
In February, James was charged by possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, DUI and drug possession. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Friday when he failed to show up for a court date, according to court records.
In November, James took a plea in abeyance, pleading guilty to misdemeanor theft.
In March of 2017, James pleaded guilty to drug possession, but he failed to comply with the conditions of his probation. Several letters submitted to the court in April indicated he was doing well in treatment. But on Friday, a no bail warrant was issued for his arrest in that case after he failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance. Court records indicate neither James' attorney nor parents had heard from him.
James also had drug- and theft-related convictions in 2016, according to court records.
