Salt Lake City police arrested a 25-year-old man Tuesday after authorities say he attacked and robbed a 79-year-old man who was on a morning walk, officials announced Wednesday.
The investigation started around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, when emergency dispatchers took a call from a man who said he’d been assaulted near 180 West and 1300 South — a frequented area near the Ballpark TRAX station and Lucky 13 Bar & Grill.
Before the 79-year-old was assaulted, the younger man asked him for money, police said. When the older man said he didn’t have any, the younger man told him to “stop playing games” and followed him to the nearby TRAX station, according to a probable cause affidavit.
There, the 25-year-old man punched the older man in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, the affidavit states. The younger man then got on top of the 79-year-old and punched him up to 10 times in the face. The 25-year-old then took the other man’s wallet, removed money and credit cards, and threw the wallet down at the man.
The attacker apparently ran off before officers arrived, police said.
First responders took the 79-year-old man to a hospital with a broken nose and swollen face, the affidavit states.
Officers later took the 25-year-old man into custody at a convenience store near 100 South and 300 East and booked him into Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of aggravated robbery. The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not name defendants unless they have been charged with a crime.
Police said the Tuesday attack was random. The affidavit states that the suspect has a “vast” history of assaults on strangers and argues that he may continue attacking people if he is not held in jail, describing him as a “severe risk” to public safety.
In a news release, officials said that most violent crimes are not random and are “rather rooted in underlying conflicts such as personal conflicts, disputes, rivalries or acts of revenge.”
The Police Department shared the following safety tips for pedestrians:
Always be aware of your surroundings.
Do not wear headphones or look at your cellphone when walking.
Stick to well-lit streets and well-populated areas.
Avoid shortcuts, alleys and confined areas such as isolated parking lots and garages.
When possible, walk with another person or share your location with a family member or trusted friend.
Be conscious about carrying large amounts of money, jewelry, high-end clothing or wearing electronic devices.
Remember that money, electronics and other items can be replaced — your life cannot.
Never chase or follow after an attacker.
If attacked, find a safe location and call 911 immediately.
