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Shelley Osterloh Reporting...The fleeing suspects led police on a high-speed car chase. One suspect even carjacked another vehicle while trying to escape. In the end, police captured all three.
At the Wells Fargo Bank at about 4900 South State Street, three men burst through the doors about 10 a.m. Seconds later, the men fired their guns into the walls to show bank employees they meant what they said.
Rob Hall, Murray City Police: "THEY CAME IN IMMEDIATELY, CONCEALED THEIR FACES WITH HOODS.. THEY ALL DISPLAYED HANDGUNS... AND ORDERED ALL THE BANK EMPLOYEES AND PATRONS TO THE FLOOR"
They even fired some warning shots. But what they couldn't have known is that a State Bureau of Investigation officer was in the bank checking into some financial crimes.
Police say he wisely concealed his identity and his weapon until the suspects were out of the bank, and then he fired on them. Several bullets entered a home across the street, but no one was hit.
Rob Hall, Murray City Police: " I BELIEVE IT WAS A VERY SMART MOVE TO FOLLOW THE SUSPECTS OUTSIDE AND BASICALLY PLACED HIMSELF IN DANGER, IT WAS HIM VERSUS THE SUSPECTS AND HE REMOVED HIMSELF FROM THE INNOCENT PEOPLE INSIDE "
In seconds, police vehicles chased the suspect car through neighborhood streets. The three suspects abandoned the car and took off on foot.
Officers found two hiding in this shed at 20th West and 4100 South. Police dogs searched the neighborhood looking for the third suspect.
Then police got a call, from a man who said his car had been carjacked from this K-Mart Parking lot. The victim told police he had been forced to drive the carjacker to a home at 9th West and 1400 South.
Some construction workers saw the suspect go into the house next door, and neighbors saw police make their arrest.
Derek Hatch, Eyewitness: "I ASKED THE COPS WHAT THE LOOKED LIKE AND HE DESCRIBED HIM. AND WE SAID WE SAW A GUY WALK IN THE HOUSE... BLACK GUY WITH WHITE... LIKE THE COP DESCRIBED"
Courtney Kefu, Eyewitness: "WE COULD HEAR FROM THE WINDOW. THE POLICE SAYING BACK UP BACK UP, GET OUT OF THE CAR. THEN WE SEEN HER AND THE BOYFRIEND... THE COPS HAD THEIR GUNS DRAWN ON THEM, AND THEY BACKED DOWN THE ROAD WITH THEIR GUNS DRAWN ON THEM. "
The suspects in custody are Stacy Rucker, and two cousins, Pauliasi and Ikle Vainuku. Police say all three have long criminal histories.
