Robbers ram doors with tractor-trailer

WEST VALLEY CITY — Using a car in a smash-and-grab robbery isn't that uncommon. But a tractor-trailer is a different story.

Just before 5 a.m. Monday, two men attempted to use a stolen tractor-trailer to break through the doors of Cash America Pawn near 3000 West and 7200 South.

"A clerk at the convenience store across the street heard three large bangs," said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan.

The driver apparently rammed the building and its double set of doors three times before the clerk went outside, yelled at the would-be burglars who then ran off, he said.

"They underestimated the strength of that building," McLachlan said.

Despite using the large vehicle, the men were unable to enter the log cabinlike store. Nothing from inside the pawn shop was reported missing, McLachlan said.

The truck was discovered to be stolen from Harper Excavating in Salt Lake City, he said. Detectives believe the pawn shop was most likely targeted specifically. But McLachlan did not know why the pawn shop was singled out and did not believe there was anything in the store of special value.

Anyone with information on the two men involved may call police at 801-840-4000.

— Pat Reavy