Police are seeking the public's help in apprehending a suspect in the shooting of a Federal Heights man earlier this week in a botched robbery.
Salt Lake Police Detective Steve Cheever said investigators have little to go on in the Monday night shooting of Charles Primich, 54.Primich, a Delta Air Lines pilot, was walking his dog along 1401 E. Military Way (150 North) at 9:30 p.m. when he was confronted by an apparent teenager who demanded his wallet.
Cheever said the youth, described as being between age 16 and 19 with shorter, dark to black hair, pointed a gun at Primich.
The robber told Primich to hand over money or he would be shot.
Primich told the would-be robber he didn't have any cash, and when he turned around to show the youth he didn't have a wallet, he was shot.
Primich was in critical condition when first taken to University Hospital but has since improved and was transferred out of the intensive care unit, Cheever said Thursday.
Street robberies in residential areas are uncommon, Cheever said, with most bandits preferring downtown locations where a stranger's presence is less likely to attract attention.
Although two witnesses reported seeing a mid-1980s hatchback leaving the upscale neighborhood, Cheever said investigators are unsure if the car has a link to the suspect.
Because of the sketchy information in the case, Cheever said, detectives are relying on the public.
Cheever is hopeful the young robber has bragged about his crime to someone.
Anyone with information should call the detective division, 799-3720, or dispatch at 799-3000.