Police: Robbery suspect ran store clerk over with car ‘multiple times’

A Utah man was arrested on Christmas Day after allegedly running over a store clerk, who confronted him about a theft, with his car.

Kelly Vaughn Burge, 23, was arrested on charges of criminal homicide, aggravated robbery, obstruction of justice, and leaving a scene with knowledge of an accident, according to a probable cause affidavit.

On the night of Dec. 21, Burge allegedly robbed Smokey’s Discount Cigarettes at 1597 W. 9000 South in West Jordan.

Police said he was seen on surveillance video inside the smoke shop and reportedly took vape items. He then fled the shop and got into a vehicle as the clerk chased after him.

Witnesses reported seeing the suspect vehicle run over the victim multiple times, according to the affidavit. The clerk was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

Police released information and a photo of the suspect, from surveillance footage, to the public.

A tipster contacted detectives and identified the suspect as Burge, saying they had spoken to him about what had happened. A second tipster also identified Burge as the suspect to authorities.

Burge was arrested in West Valley City on Christmas Day, while driving the same vehicle he had allegedly drove on the night of the robbery.

He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on multiple charges.

During an interview with police, a family member positively identified Burge as the driver of the vehicle involved in the crime. The victim also selected Burge’s photo in a photo line-up, the affidavit states.

Burge reportedly admitted to taking items from the shop and running over the victim several times.