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Sam Penrod ReportingThree people are in jail tonight after what Salt Lake City police call a day of stealing beer in a stolen car. Police say the thirsty thieves hit at least three convenience stores this afternoon stealing beer. They got away with it until a police officer recognized the suspect's car.
Police say the suspects all had plenty to drink tonight, after stealing beer from at least three and possibly four stores this afternoon and evening.
It was in a neighborhood near Franklin Covey Field that a police officer noticed the suspect's car. Officers got a description of the car just minutes earlier, after a 7-11 was hit on Salt Lake's west side. But as soon as the officer turned around to pursue the suspects, they took off. That's when another officer in an unmarked car got in front of the suspects, who lost control of their car and crashed.
Lt. Sandra Urry, Salt Lake Police Dept.: "When he came up behind an officer in an unmarked car, swerved around to try to pass him, lost control and crashed. That sergeant in the unmarked car was able to chase one of the suspects on foot, the driver, and capture him."
All three suspects were arrested. Inside of their car, police found numerous beer bottles and cans.
Police say beer runs, where suspects run out of the store with beer is common, however in some cases beer thieves have been known to become violent and assault store clerks. While many of these beer runs involved juveniles, in this case tonight, all three suspects are adults and on their way to the jail's drunk tank.
