SALT LAKE CITY — Two documented gang members have been charged with committing a series of violent robberies.
Anousak Kaykeo, 41, of West Valley City, and Bounchanh Phanthachith were each charged in 3rd District Court with two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and aggravated assault, a second-degree felony. A $250,000 warrant was issued Friday for Kaykeo’s arrest. Phanthachith is in custody.
The two are accused of at least three armed robberies in Salt Lake City and West Valley City. In each case, the victims were forced to lay on the floor at gunpoint.
On Sept. 22, three men entered Capital Mart, 1709 S. 900 West, forced an employee at gunpoint to get on the floor, then stole 15 cartons of cigarettes and about $2,800 in cash, according to charging documents.
On Oct. 8, two of the men returned to Capital Mart, hit the same store employee in the leg with a baton, told him at gunpoint to lay on the ground, and stole $2,400 in cash, the charges state.
The men were also charged on Oct. 31 with an additional two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, two counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a second-degree felony; and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.
In that case, Kaykeo and Phanthachith are accused of robbing the Quick Pick Market, 4655 S. 4800 West, at gunpoint and hitting the store clerk in the head with a gun, the charges state. The two men had everyone in the store lay down at gunpoint, and then robbed another man as he was entering the market, according to charging documents.
Prosecutors noted in their charging documents that both Kaykeo and Phathachith are documented gang members who have previously served prison time for robbery.