Ogden couple arrested in ammunition theft from Riverdale Sportsman's Warehouse

RIVERDALE — A husband and wife were jailed Thursday after police say they stole more than $500 in ammunition from a sporting goods store and the husband, armed with a pistol, threatened a store security officer.

The couple entered Sportsman's Warehouse, 1137 W. Riverdale Road, about 4 p.m., and the husband loaded a large bag he was carrying with boxes of .223-caliber ammunition, the type of rounds used in hunting rifles and semi-automatic assault rifles like the AR-15, Riverdale Police Lt. James Ebert said.

The couple then left the store without paying for the ammunition, Ebert said. When store security approached the couple, the husbandallegedly became combative and told them he was armed.

"They advised (the couple) that the cops were on the way," the lieutenant said. "They were able to detain them and get them inside the store."

That's when the employees discovered the husband was carrying a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun and several knives, Ebert said. The lieutenant said the wife was "aware of the crime, aware of what (the husband) was doing."

"She is considered an active participant in the crime," he said.

Neither of the pair answered police questions about what they intended to do with the ammunition, Ebert said. He noted that the type of ammunition stolen and the quantity stolen does raise concerns for police.

"We'll follow up on any kind of lead as we do background for the charges being filed," Ebert said.

Cuyler P. Clifton, 25, and Erin Marie Clifton, 24, were booked into Weber County Jail for investigation of aggravated robbery.

— Geoff Liesik