Police: Utah store clerk faces charges after running down suspected beer thief with car

Police: UT clerk charged after hitting beer thief

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah convenience store clerk who chased down a suspected beer thief now faces his own legal troubles.

Salt Lake City police say Ronald Wayne Lindsley’s decision to ram the man with his car was excessive.

Police say the 61-year-old Lindsley was working at a Salt Lake City gas station when he saw a man take two beers and leave the store without paying. Police say he chased the suspected thief, who was riding a bicycle, and hit him.

The suspected thief suffered a sprained ankle, scrapes, bruises and a bump on his head.

Prosecutors have charged Lindsley with third-degree felony aggravated assault, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Court records show no charges have been filed against the alleged thief.

Reached at his Salt Lake City home Thursday, Lindsley said he hasn’t hired an attorney and didn’t know about the warrant. He declined further comment.