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Boys charged as adults in alleged ice-cream parlor robbery

Patrick Parkinson, Of the Record staff

Two Park City juveniles were charged as adults in Summit County for their alleged role in a stickup at Redstone Towne Center May 21.

A 17-year-old was charged with a first-degree felony for aiding and abetting an aggravated robbery. Prosecutors charged a 16-year-old with first-degree-felony aggravated robbery and two misdemeanors for carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle and criminal mischief.

The boys live in apartments at 2100 Monitor Drive, Summit County Attorney David Brickey said.

First-degree felonies in Utah are punishable by a maximum $10,000 fine and five years to life in prison.

"Both boys are sitting in the Summit County Jail," Brickey said. "The crime was of such an egregious nature robbing somebody at gunpoint that we wanted to send a very strong message."

The 16-year-old allegedly robbed an employee of the Cold Stone Creamery at gunpoint while the victim was walking to his car after work.

"Upon reaching his car he noticed that he had a flat tire," court papers filed by prosecutors state. "While waiting in his car, a man dressed in dark clothing with baggy pants and a bandana over his face approached him with the gun in hand."

The man allegedly stole the victim’s wallet and a deposit bag containing nearly $1,000.

Officers found the suspects inside a Honda CRV that was stopped as it left the scene, Brickey said, adding that the deposit bag and a loaded 22-caliber revolver were also found inside the vehicle.

"They committed a crime that is normally associated with adult conduct," Brickey said.

Three other juveniles have admitted their roles in the crime, he said, adding that one of the people provided the gunman information about procedures at the ice-cream parlor.

Attorney James Valdez, who represents the 16-year-old, insists his client’s record should influence the outcome of the case.

"He has almost no record at all and he comes from a family that cares quite a bit about him." Valdez said. "He’s just a young kid that did something that they didn’t seem to think a whole lot about."

A Third District Juvenile Court judge ordered the boys to be charged as adults under the Utah Serious Youth Offender Act, Brickey said.

"You defend it the same way you do an adult and hope things work out for the best for the kid," Valdez said. "He’s just a kid he’s a good prospect for rehabilitation."

Attorney Ned Stone, who represents the 17-year-old who is being prosecuted as an adult, was not available for comment for this story.

Court hearings for the suspects were scheduled June 27 and July 11. The Park Record doesn’t normally print the names of juveniles charged with crimes.

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