Taylorsville man charged with kidnapping, beating, robbing man over $20 debt

WEST VALLEY CITY — Criminal charges have been filed against a Taylorsville man, accusing him of robbing and beating another man over a $20 debt.

Julian Romero, 22, was charged Monday in 3rd District Court with aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping, first-degree felonies; possession of a gun by a restricted person, a second-degree felony; and aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, a third-degree felony.

A 21-year-old West Valley man told police he had borrowed $20 from Romero, and on Thursday he received a message from Romero who wanted to talk to him. The man walked outside his residence where Romero and three other men were parked in a car out front.

"Romero and another male grabbed (the victim) and threw him into the back seat," according to the charging documents.

The man said Romero and a second person assaulted him while saying, "This is what happens when you owe us money," while another man was heard saying, "You're coming with us," the charges state.

The victim told Romero he had his money inside the residence. Romero and the three others followed the victim inside where Romero proceeded to pistol-whip the man and take $300 and other items, according to the charges. When police arrived, the victim was bleeding from his head and face and was taken to a local hospital.

Police located Romero in Taylorsville and arrested him, along with a 17-year-old boy. Detectives say both are documented gang members. Romero was on probation at the time of his arrest for a previous gun-related conviction, court records state.

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