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Karen Sculling ReportingA string of brazen, armed robberies have police around the Wasatch Front on edge and on the lookout. Police are looking for a daring young man who blew threw the doors of a bank and held employees and customers at gunpoint.
The incident in Midvale, late this afternoon came on the heels of another investigation into a string of armed street robberies throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
West Valley City cops are looking for one or two of their own armed robbers for a series of violent street incidents throughout the valley.
It was a hot summer day, but a yellow and black winter coat, gloves and sunglasses created quite a disguise for one bank robber who threatened tellers and customers while demanding cash.
Jason Norton/Midvale Police Dept.: “He presented the shotgun, ordered several customers to the ground, was telling them not to move, telling the tellers not to press any alarms."
He handed the tellers blue bags to load up the bucks, but the sawed-off shotgun wasn't the only method of intimidation he used.
Jason Norton/Midvale Police Dept.: “He presented a timer device under the teller's counter, which was very frightening for them as they didn't know what it was, thinking it could be an explosive device."
It turned out to be a fake, but the robber took off with the cash and is still on the run.
Also on the run tonight is one of two men who robbed several people outside a condominium complex. The victims were ordered to the ground at knife and gunpoint.
Asst. Chief Craig Gibson/West Valley City Police Dept.: “Very bold, very unpredictable and very random."
Since last Thursday police believe the men have been combing the streets robbing pedestrians and getting away in an old cop car that's now in evidence.
So far police believe the men may have committed seven street robberies: five in West Valley City, one in South Salt Lake and one or two in Salt Lake City since last Thursday.
One of the men, 18-year old Luis Martinez, was arrested last night after a West Valley officer spotted the vehicle. But one and possibly two others are still wanted. Police do fear they'll strike again. If you have any information, please call the West Valley City Police Dept.
