The week in crime

Man arrested, more sought in stabbing

CLEARFIELD — Police have arrested one man and are seeking several others in what they say is a gang initiation that led to a stabbing.

Officers were called on a fight at an apartment complex at 25 E. 1800 South about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. When police arrived, they found a lot of blood but no victim.

"The victim had crawled to a gas station to call police," Clearfield police detective Kyle Jeffries said Wednesday.

Inside a nearby apartment, police found some people. A 20-year-old man was booked for investigation of aggravated assault.

"They were having an alcohol party there," Jeffries said. "There were several underage drinkers. The victim was passed out on the couch when he was assaulted. He was thrown down the stairs and stabbed with a broken beer bottle."

Police said the victim, 37, was taken to the hospital where he was treated for cuts to his head, neck and chest, and he was later released.

"He was beat until he was unconscious," Jeffries said.

Police said it appears the man may have been beaten as part of a gang initiation rite.

— Ben Winslow

Man attempts to rob pharmacy

KEARNS — A would-be robber resorted to pleading with his victims after he was unable to successfully take drugs from a pharmacy early Tuesday.

"He was screaming during the fight, 'Please, just let me rob you,' " said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Don Hutson.

Just after 4:30 a.m. a man walked into Walgreens, near 5400 South and 4000 West, wandered around the store and picked up several items as if he were going to buy them, Hutson said. The man then placed the items on the pharmacy counter, waited a few seconds and then leaped over the counter.

"He attacks the pharmacist. A struggle ensues for about a minute," Hutson said.

The pharmacist was able to hold off the would-be robber until other employees jumped in and helped. Eventually, employees were able to pin the man and hold him until deputies arrived to arrest him.

Sean Barney, 21, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of robbery, a second-degree felony, as well as several warrants for unlawful purchase of alcohol by a minor.