Ex-inmate arrested after robbery, chase

WEST VALLEY CITY — A 43-year-old man who has been in and out of jail for decades and once killed an inmate at the Utah State Prison is again facing charges following a robbery, carjacking and police chase on Thursday night.

Robert Preece was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of six counts of aggravated robbery, all first-degree felonies; one count of second-degree felony robbery; and third-degree felony fleeing.

Police say the six aggravated robbery charges relate to crimes outside of the chain of events that led to Thursday's chase but that investigators believe can be linked to Preece. He was being held Friday afternoon on no bail.

The incidents began at about 8:40 p.m. at Quiznos on 3280 W. 3500 South. A man with a knife walked in, demanded money and left with about $500 cash, said West Valley PoliceSgt. Randy Maurer. The man got into a car that was waiting outside with a female occupant, he said.

Officers responded to the area, spotted the vehicle and pulled it over near 3200 West and 2700 South. But as soon as the car stopped, the man got out and ran, Maurer said. He ran to a nearby Maverik gas station, where he carjacked the vehicle of a 20-year-old woman who had parked it in front of one of the pumps.

The robber yanked her out of her vehicle, got in and took off, Maurer said. But as the man tried to go from Bangerter Highway onto U-201, he lost control and rolled.

Although the car ended up on its hood, the man got out and ran into a field next to an industrial park. Police K9s from several agencies were brought to the area, as well as a helicopter from the Department of Public Safety. The helicopter used its infrared system to spot what they thought was the man hiding, Maurer said.

The figure spotted by UHP turned out to be a mountain lion. But as officers and their K9s headed into that area, they found Preece. He surrendered without further incident. Maurer said Preece had his hands on his knees as if he were trying to catch his breath and apparently surrendered quickly once he saw the dogs.

Preece is no stranger to law enforcement. In 1983, at the age of 19, he stabbed fellow Utah State Prison inmate Steven Roy to death. Preece already was serving time for aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery. He was convicted of manslaughter for the death of the inmate.

In 1992, while still serving time on those convictions, Preece sued the Board of Pardons, claiming he was being held longer than state sentencing guidelines recommended. But the Utah Supreme Court sided with the Board of Pardons, ruling that inmates cannot appeal their parole dates.