A weekend hunch from an off-duty police detective produced important new leads in the shooting death of a downtown chef last month and at least five burglaries.
Salt Lake police believe the same men responsible for killing Merritt Riordan, 29, as he was preparing to go home from the Green Parrot Cafe on May 14 are also responsible for a recent series of "preppy bandit" robberies.Two men have been arrested and warrants were issued for two others. They are cousins whose robberies were well-planned, police said.
The break came Saturday night when off-duty detective Ray Dalling heard a report of a robbery over his police radio. He responded to the Tool Shed, 405 E. Sixth Ave., to assist.
About 9 p.m., a man wearing a wig had entered the hardware store, pointed a gun at the clerk and taken money from the cash register. The female clerk had chased him outside, tackled him in the parking lot and knocked his wig off.
But another gunman - a lookout - approached and pointed a gun at the clerk. Both men then fled. Two witnesses chased after the suspects, but they, too, were intercepted by a second lookout, who told the witnesses that he was a witness too and would take over for them, said Lt. Jim Bell.
That suspect later returned to the store and spoke with Dalling.
Dalling recognized him as a possible suspect in the Riordan homicide, Bell said.
No arrests were made that evening, but detectives obtained additional information and photographs. Wednesday, they served search warrants on the four suspects' homes and obtained evidence to tie the cousins to the homicide and five robberies, Bell said. "And there may be more."
"We probably wouldn't have gotten the break that we had (if not for Dalling's hunch)," Bell said.
Aaron Galli, 22, of Central City, was booked into jail for investigation of murder and aggravated robbery. His cousin, Nathan Galli, 19, also of Central City, was booked for investigation of aggravated robbery.
Robbery warrants have been issued for Nathan Galli's brother, Christopher R. Galli, 17, of Sandy, and Aaron Galli's brother, Adam B. Galli, 23, of East Central City. Adam Galli is also wanted for questioning in connection with the homicide, Bell said.
Christopher Galli has been charged with aggravated robbery in connection with the robbery of Trolley Corners Theaters on May 5 as well as the April 29 robbery of King's English Book Store, 1511 S. 1500 East.