ST. GEORGE — A man suspected of both a carjacking and burglary remains at large.
St. George Police said they received a report around 5:44 p.m. Monday of a possible carjacking involving a man with a gun. It is believed he took the vehicle, fled the scene and then committed a burglary of a jewelry store at 3050 East in St. George
The suspect then crashed the stolen vehicle on Interstate 15 and fled on foot in the area of I-15 and St. George Boulevard. Police say he is considered armed and dangerous.
“The male is described as Hispanic, mid-to-late 20s and of thin build … wearing a black hoodie with either the hood up or a black beanie. He is likely injured and bleeding. Again, do not approach.”
Police also said the “area surrounding 1000 East and St. George Boulevard is flooded with police presence in an effort to locate the suspect.”
Anyone who observes someone matching the description should call St. George Police at 435-627-4300.
The crash forced the temporary closure of the southbound lanes of I-15 and backed up traffic for several miles. UDOT traffic cams show vehicles now moving through the area, but the crash scene is not expected to be cleared until 8:30 p.m.
The man is believed to have burgled the Kelly Jewelers and Barbershop at 969 N. 3050 East in St. George. When police arrived on the scene, they found one of the storefront windows by the entry shattered. Once investigators arrived and went inside, they found glass cases that had contained jewelry on display were also shattered and their contents were missing.
As the burglary occurred after-hours, no one was inside during the incident, which store owner James Kelly said he was thankful for.
“I’m glad no one was hurt,” he said. “If it’s just property damage, I guess everyone got off clean … I hope no one was injured on the highway either.”
Kelly declined to comment on the incident further, saying he’d like to know more details himself before saying anything else.
Earlier Monday, police apprehended three men suspected of taking part in an ATM robbery at Wells Fargo bank at 1218 S. River Road.
Updated 8:25 p.m. Dec. 18, Comments from the impacted business owner and photos from the scene of the burglary added.
This is a developing story.
St. George News reporter Mori Kessler contributed to this story.
Photo Gallery
UDOT traffic cam shows vehicles backed up on Interstate 15 southbound after a car crashed near Exit 8, Dec. 18, 2023 | Image courtesy of UDOT, St. George News St. George Police officers investigate a burglary at Kelly Jewelers and Barbershop on 3050 East in St. George, Utah, Dec. 18, 2023 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News St. George Police officers investigate a burglary at Kelly Jewelers and Barbershop on 3050 East in St. George, Utah, Dec. 18, 2023 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News St. George Police officers investigate a burglary at Kelly Jewelers and Barbershop on 3050 East in St. George, Utah, Dec. 18, 2023 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News St. George Police officers investigate a burglary at Kelly Jewelers and Barbershop on 3050 East in St. George, Utah, Dec. 18, 2023 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News St. George Police officers investigate a burglary at Kelly Jewelers and Barbershop on 3050 East in St. George, Utah, Dec. 18, 2023 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News St. George Police officers investigate a burglary at Kelly Jewelers and Barbershop on 3050 East in St. George, Utah, Dec. 18, 2023 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
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