Three Utah Juveniles Arrested Following Gas Station Aggravated Robbery

Three Utah juveniles were arrested following an early morning aggravated robbery of a gas station where the clerk was shot multiple times.

Unnecessary escalation

The three juveniles who have not been named nor had their ages released were arrested for aggravated robbery after then allegedly entered an Exxon gas station in the early morning hours of January 23rd, 2017, emptied the contents of the cash register, and shot the clerk twice; once in the wrist and once in the upper leg. A family member of the victim who is recovering after multiple surgeries said the victim stated that the suspects became frustrated when the clerk could only offer them the money in the till, not in the vault for which he had no access. Pictures taken from the security camera of the store showed the robbery taking place as well as identifying the teen who pulled the trigger on the clerk.

Aggravated Robbery

Utah Code 76-6-302 defines aggravated robbery as when a person, “in the course of committing robbery, he: uses or threatens to use a dangerous weapon ( . . . ); causes serious bodily injury upon another; or takes or attempts to take an operable motor vehicle. Aggravated robbery is a first degree felony” and punishable with a fine as high as $10,000 and a possible prison term of five years to life in prison.

Minimal cash for life in prison

Most gas stations and other convenience stores keep a maximum of $100 in the register, which is why they discourage accepting large bills which would deplete their ability to make change. This is especially true at night when management is not available to open the vault, and regular employees are not privy to the combination to open it. Aggravated robbery of a gas station is literally trading life in prison for pocket change.

Adult charges may be pending

When a juvenile is charges with a first degree felony, there is a great possibility they may be charged as an adult. Defendants in this position are encouraged to counsel with a defense attorney who handles all defense cases, both in juvenile and adult (district) court.