Price City Police and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office responded to O’Reilly Auto Parts in Price early Friday morning on a call of aggravated burglary.
According to Price City Police Captain Bill Barnes, police received a call that an employee at the store had been assaulted by someone before the store was open for business. The man who had unlawfully entered the store, Price resident Chase Kyriss, was a former employee at the establishment.
“As no longer an employee, he had no business there at that time,” Barnes explained.
Kyriss, 23, was wearing a mask upon entering the store and proceeded to assault the victim. Barnes explained that the victim was extremely out-weighed and at a disadvantage during the assault.
“The assailant was two-and-a-half times the size of the victim,” said Barnes.
Another employee entered the establishment and was able to intervene in the assault. She also pulled off Kyriss’ mask, discovered his relationship to the business and called local authorities. Police believe that Kyriss’ motive was revenge for having been removed from his position at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
“The only thing we know is no theft occurred and there was no indication that he wanted to steal anything,” Barnes stated. “We are led to believe that his motive was revenge.”
The victim was transported to Castleview Hospital for medical treatment. Kyriss, who Barnes states was cooperative with authorities, was booked into the Carbon County Jail on the charge of aggravated burglary, a third degree felony.
“When the county attorney screens the case, he will determine what formal charges will be brought,” the police captain concluded.