PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

December 11, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slc.gov

Media Request Form:  https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/

SLCPD Investigating Armed Robbery, Suspect Booked into Jail

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, officers and detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) safely arrested a 32-year-old man who is accused of committing an armed robbery.

This investigation started at 4:08 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, when SLC911 received information about a robbery that had just occurred near 950 South Gladiola Street.

Based on the preliminary investigation, two people, with rifles, entered an RV and demanded cash from the people inside.

According to court documents, before leaving, the suspects are accused of threatening the victims, warning them not to follow.

An SLCPD sergeant located the suspect’s car at 1810 South Main Street after using technology that helps officers identify vehicles for specific law enforcement purposes.

Officers set up around the apartment complex and began coordinating resources to start searching the lot.

While searching the lot, officers located the car and could see potential evidence, including rifles, in plain view.

As the officers coordinated resources, an SLCPD drone operator saw a man exit the apartment complex.

Officers later identified as Salesi Tuatonga.

According to court documents, Tuatonga admitted to owning the firearms and driving the vehicle to the robbery location.

Because of his criminal history, Tuatonga is prohibited from being in possession of firearms.

Detectives executed a search warrant on the suspect car and apartment, resulting in the recovery of items stolen from the RV and firearms linked to the incident.

Officers booked Tuatonga into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of aggravated robbery.

No other arrests have been made.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

Several photos from the scene are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: Two Salt Lake City Police SUVs with their lights on parked near 1810 South Main Street as part of a robbery investigation (SLCPD photo – December 11, 2024).

Photo: Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department investigate a robbery that resulted in a search warrant near 1810 South Main Street as part of a robbery investigation (SLCPD photo – December 11, 2024).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police officer stands outside his car near 1810 South Main Street shortly after officers took several people into custody as part of a robbery investigation. After the investigation, officers released three people and booked one suspect into jail on a charge of aggravated robbery (SLCPD photo – December 11, 2024).

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