Two charged in violent West Valley robbery

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SALT LAKE CITY — A pair of documented gang members who have previously served time in prison face new charges.

Anousak Kaykeo, 41, of West Jordan, and Bounchanh Phanthachith, 41, of Magna, were each charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon, a second-degree felony; and two counts of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.

Prosecutors have requested both be held in the Salt Lake County Jail on $250,000 bail.

On Oct. 20, two men wearing masks entered Quick Pick, 4655 S. 4800 West, and told the store clerk to get on the ground, according to charging documents. One man was carrying a gun, the other a baton, the charges state. The men hit the clerk on the head with the gun, took the gun the clerk was carrying, and then took $1,100 cash from the register, the charges state.

Three other people were in the store at the time. The robbers pointed a gun at one man’s head and took $100 from him, according to the charges, then ordered everyone to the ground at gunpoint.

Based on witness descriptions of the robbers and their getaway car, Phanthachith was identified by police as a possible suspect.

On Sunday, police spotted the suspected getaway car and pulled it over. Kaykeo and Phanthachith were inside. Police also found two handguns and clothing that matched the type used by the gunmen in the robbery, the affidavit states.

In 2005, Keykeo made headlines for robbing a couple at gunpoint — including making one get on his knees and pointing a gun at his head — before leading police on an hourlong low-speed chase. Police had spiked Kaykeo’s tires as he was fleeing, but he continued to drive on the vehicle’s rims.

Kaykeo was convicted of robbery, a first-degree felony, and sentenced to five years to life in the Utah State Prison.

In 2003, Phanthachith was convicted of robbery and sentenced to one to 15 years in prison. He was also convicted in federal court in 2005 of unlawful transportation of firearms and sentenced to two years in federal prison.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2N16i22