DRAPER — Police in Draper and South Jordan were seeking a man Sunday who may be responsible for two robberies and an attempted robbery.
In two of the incidents, the man claimed or hinted that he had a bomb. He left what he said was a bomb at the scene of one robbery, but a bomb squad later determined it was not an explosive device.
The suspect is described as a white man in his late teens or early 20s, about 6 feet tall with a medium build.
A man who displayed a gun and demanded cash from workers at a Denny’s restaurant at 10646 S. Frontage Road about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, was wearing a dark jacket and had a white mask or scarf that covered his face. Employees told South Jordan police he had "something strapped to his chest."
The gunman fled on foot to a waiting dark-colored Ford Focus, which headed south on I-15.
About 30 minutes later, Draper police responded to an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven at 692 E. 12300 South.
According to Draper police, the man displayed a gun and demanded money after placing a backpack on a store counter, telling store employees that it contained a bomb. Store clerks refused to give the gunman any money and he fled, leaving the backpack behind.
The Unified Fire Authority bomb squad was called to the store and team members determined the contents were not explosive, said Draper Police Sgt. Chad Carpenter.
About 30 minutes later, Draper police responded to an armed robbery at the Pro Stop, 13893 S. Bangerter Parkway. Carpenter said the same man in the previous robbery displayed a handgun and demanded money. He was given an undisclosed amount of money and left the store.
Draper police describe the suspect as a white male, 6 feet tall, wearing a beanie hat, sunglasses, face mask, a black trench coat and gray hooded sweatshirt.
Police are collecting surveillance video from each business to confirm whether the three robberies are related.
Meanwhile, South Jordan and Draper police are asking the public’s help with any information they can provide about the robberies.
“These suspects are considered armed and extremely dangerous,” said South Jordan police officer Samuel Winkler.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 801-840-4000.
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