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KEARNS — The Unified Police Department is investigating at least four cases of Kearns High School students being robbed at gunpoint just outside the school, potentially by other teenagers.
Detective Angie Oldham with the Unified Police Department Kearns Precinct explained the robberies happened over the last three weeks in the area of the train tracks east of the high school, with the most recent report on Sept. 27.
"We've had some victims call in to report that they've been held at gunpoint and robbed of their personal items," Oldham said.
She further explained the suspect in each case held a handgun up to the victim's face, demanding anything of value — phones, credit cards, money, even one of the victim's pairs of shoes.
"As a community, this is not something that we want to ever happen to any of our residents or anyone," Oldham expressed. "We are extremely worried and fearful for some of our residents that go to Kearns High School."
Police and neighbors in the area told KSL-TV that high school students cross the train tracks as a shortcut heading to and from school all throughout the day.
Oldham described the route — which is on private property — as being popular because students can access the nearby neighborhood as well as food establishments on 5400 South.
A KSL-TV crew watched students cross at several points along the tracks behind the school Wednesday, with some stopping to sit on the tracks and hang out.
UPD and the Granite School District are asking students to stop entering the area, especially because Oldham said it's private property, and students are technically trespassing when they use the shortcut.
"We've been asking every parent and child, please stop using these train tracks as a walkway. It's not safe," Oldham said. "The amount of danger that is up there waiting for these students, it's pretty scary."
She said Union Pacific installed a fence at one point, but a parent damaged it to allow kids to keep crossing.
A Granite School District spokesperson said Wednesday the district was in the process of sending an email to families, echoing UPD's statement and urging students and parents to use designated safe walking routes.
Oldham said investigators caught one suspect from the first two armed robberies who is a juvenile, though they aren't sure if that person attends Kearns High School. She said they're still searching for a suspect from the second two robberies, who they believe may be 18 to 20 years old.
It's possible, Oldham indicated, there are more cases that have not been reported. Anyone who has witnessed issues or has information about the robberies should call police dispatch at 801-840-4000.
