Several Kearns students robbed at gunpoint

KEARNS – The Unified Police Department is investigating at least four cases in which Kearns High School students were robbed at gunpoint right outside the school, possibly by other teenagers.

Detective Angie Oldham of the Kearns Precinct Unified Police Department said the robberies have occurred over the past three weeks in the area of ​​the train tracks east of the high school, with the most recent report dated Sept. 27.

“Some victims called and reported that they were being held at gunpoint and robbed of their personal items,” Oldham said.

She went on to explain that in each case, the suspect pointed a gun in the victim’s face and demanded anything of value – the victim’s phones, credit cards, money, even a pair of shoes.

“As a community, we don’t want this to ever happen to any of our residents or anyone,” Oldham said. “We are extremely concerned and fearful for some of our residents who attend Kearns High School.”

Police and neighbors in the area told KSL TV that high school students cross the train tracks throughout the day to take shortcuts on their way to and from school.

Oldham described the route — which runs on private property — as popular because students have access to the nearby neighborhood as well as food establishments on 5400 South.

A KSL television crew observed students crossing the tracks behind the school in several places on Wednesday, with some stopping to sit and hang out on the tracks.

UPD and the Granite School District are asking students to stop entering the area, especially because Oldham said it is private property and students are technically trespassing if they use the shortcut.

“We have asked all parents and children to stop using these train tracks as footpaths. It’s not safe,” Oldham said. “It’s pretty scary how much danger there is up there waiting for these students.”

She said Union Pacific installed a fence at one point, but a parent damaged it so children could continue crossing.

A spokesperson for the Granite School District said Wednesday that the district was in the process of sending an email to families repeating UPD’s statement and urging students and parents to use designated safe sidewalks.

Oldham said investigators have caught a suspect in the first two armed robberies, who is a juvenile, although they are not sure if that person attends Kearns High School. She said they were still looking for a suspect in the second two robberies, who they believed to be 18 to 20 years old.

It is possible, Oldham said, that there are additional cases that have not been reported. Anyone who witnessed problems or has information about the robberies should call police at 801-840-4000.

On October 2, 2024, students cross train tracks toward a neighborhood east of Kearns High. (KSLTV)