SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of carjacking after he left his wallet in the vehicle was ordered Tuesday to stand trial for kidnapping and robbery charges.
John Angelo Rhodes, 26, appeared in 3rd District Court to face charges that he used a gun to force a man to drive from Salt Lake City to Sandy in May. Police say Rhodes approached Ruven Salas at a Salt Lake gas station on May 19 and asked for a ride. When Salas refused, Rhodes got in the car, pulled out a gun and forced Salas to drive him to Sandy, according to the charges.
Salas, a father of three, testified Tuesday that he was concerned for his safety as he watched Rhodes wave the gun. He said he followed Rhodes' instructions until he saw a police officer on a traffic stop. Rhodes jumped out of the slowly moving vehicle when he saw the officer, Salas said.
Rhodes was arrested after police say he left his wallet in the car when he got out. He is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, both first-degree felonies, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony.
Rhodes' attorney asked Judge Lee Dever to dismiss the robbery charge because Salas said while he was nervous, he was not afraid during the incident.
Dever rejected the motion and ordered Rhodes to appear on Aug. 13 when he will also face separate aggravated burglary and robbery charges in an unrelated incident.
— Josh Smith