No resources spared in hunt for shopliftersArticle Last Updated: 08/19/2005 01:04:20 AM
The Associated Press
RIVERDALE - Twelve officers, some heavily armed, from five police agencies, aided by two dogs and a helicopter, combed the woods near the river parkway in Riverdale in a manhunt for some teen shoplifting suspects.
''We were giving chase and decided to use the resources available,'' Riverdale Lt. Dave Hansen said of the heavy turnout of law enforcement.
Four boys allegedly stole three controllers for a Sony PlayStation and some video games from Media Play shortly after noon Wednesday, Hansen said.
After an alarm was set off, store employees followed the teens, he said. Once outside the store, the thieves ran but left the merchandise behind.
One 18-year-old stopped after a police officer arrived. He was arrested, Hansen said.
The officers from Riverdale, Utah Highway Patrol, South Ogden, Roy and Weber County fanned out across the river parkway to search for the remaining suspects.
An area east of the Washington Terrace border and south to Interstate 84 was cordoned off.
Officers stood watch on hills and from the nearby Schneiter's Riverside golf course.
A Riverdale detective called one perpetrator from the arrested suspect's cell phone and told the 17-year-old to turn himself in, Hansen said. The youth walked out of the woods and was arrested.
One man, who was near the river at the time of the search, was mistakenly taken into custody. The man threw his arms up when the helicopter spotted him and was taken to the police station. He was released after officers interviewed him, Hansen said. Two 15-year-olds escaped the manhunt, but Hansen said their names were known and they will be arrested soon.
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