DAVIS COUNTY, Utah -- Davis County Sheriff’s Office personnel arrested a man in West Point, Utah after another man sitting in his hot tub witnessed several burglaries in progress and called the police.
The witness, whose name has not been released, was relaxing in his hot tub one evening when he saw a male dressed in dark clothing walking up to his neighbors’ sheds, garages and vehicles and then taking their belongings, according to a press release from the Davis County Sheriff’s Office.
The witness didn’t want to give himself away, so he waited quietly until he had the opportunity to get back inside and call 911. The police arrived and apprehended the suspect.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, did not try to flee when he was caught. When questioned by police he reportedly said he was stealing things so he could sell them in order to buy marijuana and methamphetamine.
The man said he sold what he could to pawn shops and tried to sell the other items cheaply to other people. He also said he would strip copper from stolen cords to sell to scrap yards.
Police said the man’s capture solved multiple crimes all at once, and stolen belongings were recovered and returned to their owners.
Police said the suspect only robbed unlocked sheds, vehicles and garages, and they urged people to lock up their belongings.
Police also commended the witness. The press release reads in part: “He was quiet, paid attention to the suspect and his movements, and then called the police with details. Guys like him make it much easier to do a difficult job. Guys like him are rare.”
