The search continued Friday for three people wanted in connection with a carjacking and aggravated kidnapping.
Just before 9 p.m. Thursday, a 19-year-old man was at a house near 2900 South and 200 East along with his 16-year-old girlfriend. As they were leaving, an adult female acquaintance of the man's asked if she and two other men at the house could get a ride, said West Valley police Capt. Tom McLachlan.
Neither the 19-year-old man, his girlfriend or the three people they gave rides to lived at the house, McLachlan said. Police said Friday they did not know why the people were at the house.
Near 2400 S. Bangerter Highway, one of the men in the backseat put a gun to the driver's head. They told him to pull over and get out, McLachlan said. The men also hit the man on the back of his head, causing minor injuries.
After the driver got out, his 16-year-old girlfriend tried to follow. But the carjackers grabbed her and told her she was going with them, McLachlan said.
Because the girlfriend was believed to be in danger and "taken against her will," police issued an Amber Alert. The alert was canceled less than 10 minutes later, however, when the girl was dropped off unharmed near 4000 West and 3500 South, McLachlan said. The girl called her mother from that location on a cell phone.
Also at that location, the carjackers picked up a maroon vehicle with Montana license plates, McLachlan said. Investigators were still trying to figure out Friday who owned the car. McLachlan noted it was not reported stolen.
About 1:30 a.m., the vehicle originally carjacked was found abandoned near 2600 South and 3600 West. The windows were broken out, and there was other damage, McLachlan said.
Investigators did not believe the incident was random.
"They break his car windows out, they beat him but don't harm the girl ... obviously they have a problem with him," McLachlan said. "This was not a random deal."
Detectives were not sure, however, what sparked the disagreement between the two parties.
Investigators believe they know the identity of the female acquaintance of the driver. The two men she was with were in their 20s, McLachlan said. The search for the car with Montana plates continued Friday.
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com