SANDY, Utah – Police have released surveillance images of a man who allegedly tried to smash a motion light with an attached camera before he robbed a nearby van.
Police officials said the incident occurred just after 1 a.m. on Monday when a man on his skateboard was rolling northbound along 1600 East.
Sgt. Jon Arnold, Sandy Police Department, said the suspect set off a motion activated light attached to a home.
“He didn't like the motion light on him, so he decided to go and break the motion light, and as he breaks the motion light he realizes there's a camera attached to it,” Arnold said.
The camera captured the man’s image, even though the suspect took a stick and began smashing the light and camera. Arnold said the suspect’s crime spree continued after the vandalism.
“Just when he thinks he's completed his task of breaking the camera he thinks he's OK, he decided to go across the street and break into a neighbor’s van,” Arnold said.
The suspect stole several items from the vehicle before hopping back on his skateboard and rolling away. Police said there has been a recent surge in car burglaries in Sandy, and they said they hope catching this man will help them solve several such incidents.
“This kid is one of those individuals committing them, obviously,” Arnold said. “He had no qualms going into this vehicle, tried to get into another vehicle in the driveway, and this is someone we need to take care of and have a chat with."
The suspect, pictured in the video above and the photo below, is described as being less than 6-feet tall and having a slim build. He has platinum blonde hair, which is possibly bleached. He also has a piercing through his lower lip, and he had silver headphones draped around his neck.
Police said this isn't the only crime to be captured on camera lately. A man broke into the Sandy liquor store after hours to steal cheap vodka, and a young man was caught on video taking pictures of a young girl in a changing room at Forever 21 at Southtowne Mall. Those suspects are also pictured in the video above.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the crimes is encouraged to contact police at 801-840- 4000.
