Clerk punched, pair arrested in early morning beer run

A convenience store clerk got hit in the face after a man and a juvenile made a beer run in West Valley City.

Lt. Bill Merritt with the West Valley Police Department said that at around 7 a.m. the juvenile entered Holiday Oil at 3210 W. 3500 South and made a straight line to the beer coolers in the back. The 16-year-old grabbed two 24-packs and left the store without paying.

The clerk followed the juvenile out of the store, only to find that waiting outside was a man — who punched the clerk in the face. The two then entered a white SUV and fled, Merritt said.

Hurriedly, the clerk alerted police and a nearby officer spotted a white SUV occupied by two people who fit the description provided by the clerk. The officer pursued the two until they stopped at a local residence. The clerk was brought to the scene to ID the pair.

Merritt said a 19-year-old man was charged with possession of alcohol by a minor and robbery, A 16-year-old was charged with possession of alcohol by a minor and robbery, and because the pair consumed six of the beers while escaping, he was also charged with dui.

E-MAIL: cnorlen@desnews.com