Arrests made in convenience store robberies

MIDVALE — Two men arrested by police here Friday may be connected to at least three convenience store robberies.

Just after 6 a.m., a man walked into Maverick Country Store, 686 E. 7200 South, waited for the other customers to leave and then approached the counter as though he was going to buy something, said Midvale police Sgt. John Salazar.

The man went back to his car, allegedly to get money, but then he re-entered he displayed a handgun and took money from the register, Salazar said.

The clerk called 911 as soon as the suspect left, and a nearby officer spotted the car near 7800 South State. A short chase ensued through several neighborhood streets. It ended when the suspects' vehicle crashed into a dirt berm on a frontage road, Salazar said.

Two men ran from the vehicle. The officer chased and caught one of them, Salazar said.

Upon further investigation, detectives discovered the car the men were driving was stolen, and the owner of the stolen car was a suspect in an overnight robbery at a 7-Eleven in Taylorsville, he said.

About 2:15 p.m., detectives were able to develop information that the second man who ran away was at an apartment near 7900 South and 700 West, right next door to the Midvale Police station. He was arrested without incident.

Upon further investigation, detectives said Friday they believed the two could be connected to convenience store robberies in Taylorsville and Murray.

More arrests were pending Friday.