Lehi, Utah – Police have arrested two suspects accused of robbing a hobby store in Lehi and severely injuring the store owner after allegedly running him over while fleeing the scene. Authorities say the victim suffered multiple broken bones and remains in recovery.
Robbery Incident at Lehi Hobby Store
According to Lehi police, the incident occurred Friday at Mad Man’s Hobby Store, where investigators say Gavin Huss, 22, of Provo, and Riley Shelman, 21, of Heber City, entered the store and stole an electronic radio-controlled car valued at $800.
Police say surveillance footage shows the suspects exiting the store and getting into a black Dodge Ram 1500. When the store owner attempted to confront them in the parking lot, the situation escalated quickly.
Store Owner Run Over While Suspects Fled
An affidavit of probable cause states that as the suspects began to drive away, the store owner became caught in the vehicle’s rear tire well. Investigators say the rotation of the tire pulled him underneath the truck, causing him to be run over as the suspects left the scene.
Court documents describe the injuries as severe. The store owner suffered two broken femurs, a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg, a broken right arm near the shoulder, a broken nose, two fractured eye sockets, and multiple lacerations to the forehead.
Police say neither suspect stopped to assist the injured man or contacted emergency services before leaving the area.
Charges Filed Against Both Suspects
Huss and Shelman are now facing multiple charges, including retail theft and failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving serious injury, both of which carry significant legal consequences under Utah law.
Lehi police confirmed that the victim’s injuries were classified as serious bodily injury, a key factor in the charges filed.
Tip From Public Leads to Arrests
Authorities said the case advanced after an anonymous tip was received on Monday. The caller reportedly recognized the suspects from a surveillance video released during the investigation.
Following that lead, police located Shelman between Park City and Heber City, where she was taken into custody. The suspected getaway vehicle was also seized as evidence. Huss later turned himself in to Provo police.
In a news release, Lehi police credited both the public and investigators for the arrests.
“We are grateful for information received from members of the public during the investigation,” police said. “We are also extremely proud of the hard work that our dedicated Property Crime Detectives put into this case.”
Victim Identified and Recovery Ongoing
Police identified the injured store owner as Mark Willson. Authorities said his injuries are extensive but confirmed that he is currently recovering.
“We are pleased that the victim in this incident was not injured any worse than he was,” police said. “His injuries are very significant and we are thankful that he is recovering.”
A GoFundMe page has been created to help support Willson during his recovery. The fundraiser was organized by Shellie Vincent, who identified herself as his daughter. According to the page, Willson will require multiple surgeries, additional medical procedures, and several months of healing.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
The incident has raised concerns among local business owners about safety during thefts and confrontations. Law enforcement officials routinely advise store owners and employees to prioritize personal safety and avoid physically confronting suspects whenever possible.
Police stress that property crimes can escalate unpredictably and encourage witnesses to call authorities immediately rather than intervene directly.
Case Status Moving Forward
Both suspects remain in custody as the case proceeds through the court system. Investigators continue reviewing evidence, including surveillance footage and witness statements, as prosecutors prepare formal filings.
Police say additional charges could be considered as the investigation develops.
Conclusion
The arrests bring a measure of closure in a case that left a Lehi business owner with life-altering injuries. Authorities credit public cooperation and coordinated police work for helping identify and locate the suspects.
Anyone with additional information related to the incident is encouraged to contact Lehi police. Share your experiences in the comments below.
