Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SANDY — One person has been charged in connection with a robbery and shooting investigation in Sandy.
Anthony Carranza, 18, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on May 29 and charged Monday in 3rd District Court with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; being a restricted person in possession of a gun, a second-degree felony; and four counts of discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony.
On May 27, a 17-year-old girl was sitting on a curb in front of a store near 10450 S. State, waiting to be picked up by her boyfriend, when she noticed a vehicle with three people inside.
A short time later, a passenger from that vehicle came up from behind, grabbed her purse, got back into the vehicle and drove off, according to a police booking affidavit.
The girl's boyfriend arrived moments later and picked her up. The couple then tried to follow the purse-snatchers.
"(The couple) observed the vehicle on Sego Lily and Beetdigger Boulevard, and took a picture of the vehicle to include the license plate," according to the affidavit.
The vehicle then made a U-turn and stopped in front of the couple's car. Carranza, who was driving, "pulled a black handgun out the driver's window and began to fire," the affidavit states. "A passenger sitting behind the driver's seat also pulled a black handgun and began firing at the vehicle. Approximately 11 rounds were fired from both Anthony Carranza and the unknown shooter. At least three of those rounds hit (the couple's) vehicle."
No serious injuries were reported. The couple tried to get away by putting the car in reverse, but ended up hitting a rock wall, according to police. Carranza drove off and later called West Valley police, claiming his vehicle had been stolen, the affidavit states.
Detectives were able to identify Carranza using the license plate number and the couple picking out his picture from a series of mugshots, and arrested him in Herriman. Police say Carranza has "an extensive juvenile criminal history which includes fleeing, burglary and weapon offense," according to the affidavit.
The search for the two others believed to be in his car is continuing.
