ST. GEORGE — A man and woman were arrested in Mesquite Friday after police say they were found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle with “burglary tools” and methamphetamine and heroin inside.
William Clark, 31, of Cedar City, bookings photo posted April 13, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Mesquite Police Department, St. George News
William Clark, 31, of Cedar City, and Joslin Botelho, 28, of Las Vegas, have been charged with multiple felonies relating to drug possession and auto theft.
Working on a report of a stolen vehicle possibly being in the Mesquite area, officers located the vehicle in a grocery store parking lot at approximately 6 p.m. Friday, according to a news release issued by Mesquite Police Department.
After confirming the vehicle was stolen out of Las Vegas, according to the news release, officers found one of the suspects inside the vehicle allegedly trying to swallow heroin and meth.
Joslin Botelho, 28, of Las Vegas, bookings photo posted April 13, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Mesquite Police Department, St. George News
The other suspect was found inside the grocery store, and both Clark and Botelho were subsequently taken into custody.
“Inside of the vehicle, officers located multiple items of drug paraphernalia, tools used for committing burglaries, crystal methamphetamine, and heroin,” the news release states.
Clark and Botelho were each charged with one felony count of possession of a stolen vehicle, two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of possession of burglary tools.
Both suspects were transported and booked into the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE – A 44-year-old man was taken into police custody over the weekend after a family member accused him of sexual offense.
Raymond Andrew Berry, of St. George, bookings photo, posted April 13, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
A 15-year-old girl interviewed at the Children’s Justice Center in St. George last week said there had been inappropriate sexual contact between herself and 44-year-old Raymond Andrew Berry, according to a probable cause statement written in support of the arrest.
The incidents allegedly occurred when the girl was between the ages of 7 and 13, starting when she lived out of state and continuing after moving to St. George in 2013.
During one of the encounters, the girl said Berry had her “grind” against him, according to the police report, as well as engage in other activities disclosed during the interview.
Berry was contacted and detained by St. George Police and interviewed at the police department Friday. He agreed to speak to police after being told his rights and, according to the police statement, subsequently denied the girl’s accusations.
Based on the information from the 15-year-old’s interview, Berry was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility on two first-degree felony counts of sodomy of a child. His bail is currently set at $40,000.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A St. George man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly breaking into a utility trailer in Santa Clara and stealing construction tools located inside.
William Frank Owen, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted March 14, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
William Frank Owen, 25, was charged with third-degree felony theft along with two class B misdemeanors for possession of burglary tools and criminal mischief involving intentional damage to property, according to information filed by the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
Owen used bolt cutters to cut the locks off a parked utility trailer with the intent of committing theft, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department in support of the arrest.
The owner of the trailer notified police after reportedly watching Owen take construction tools from the trailer and place them in a backpack, the report states.
When Owen was apprehended by police on North Lava Cove Drive just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, he admitted to breaking into the trailer to steal the tools, the arresting officer wrote in the sworn statement.
Owen was arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He remains in police custody as this report publishes and is scheduled to appear before Judge John Walton in 5th District Court Monday.
According to Utah Court documents, Owen has a criminal history involving theft and drug-related offenses.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE – The search of a Bloomington home in St. George earlier this week by the Washington County Drug Task Force led to the arrest of an alleged drug dealer and his girlfriend.
Late Sunday evening, the county task force executed a search warrant at a residence on South Bloomington Drive West, according to court documents.
Kasey Lee Hassell, of St. George, Utah, bookings photo, posted April 15, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Task force agents entered the home and made contact with the homeowner, who was subsequently taken outside. They then came to the top of a set of stairs leading into the basement and held their position while shouting at the occupants in the basement to come upstairs while keeping their hands visible.
Two people exited the basement after a few moments, but another person remained in the basement.
“A short while later, a second male emerged from the basement,” one of the task force agents wrote in a probable cause statement written in support of the arrests.
The man was identified as 34-year-old Kasey L. Hassell, of St. George.
“Immediately detectives noted this male … to be wet from his hands and his pants in the area of his pockets,” the agent wrote.
Hassell and the others were taken outside and placed in handcuffs near where the rest of the home’s occupants were gathered. In all, eight people were removed from the home, including two juveniles.
The group was then interviewed one-by-one.
Hassell was interviewed first and allegedly told agents that what they were going to find belonged to him.
“He admitted to actively selling methamphetamine and marijuana,” the agent wrote in the statement. “He also indicated that there would be baggies and a scale found in the bedroom.”
Michelle Marian Lees, of St. George, Utah, bookings photo, posted April 15, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Both Hassell and his girlfriend, Michelle M. Lees, who was at the residence when the task force arrived, identified a bedroom in the basement as theirs. Lees told agents that Hassell was staying at the residence with her and her family.
As the agents went through the bedroom, they allegedly found baggies containing what was suspected to be methamphetamine and marijuana.
“Just before transporting Kasey to the Washington County Jail, he admitted to flushing drugs down the toilet in an attempt to conceal them from detectives,” the agent wrote, adding that this explained why Hassell’s hands and pants were wet.
Additional baggies of methamphetamine, empty baggies, a scale and various pieces of drug paraphernalia were also found in the bedroom, according to the probable cause statement.
“Due to the admissions of Kasey, who admitted that he distributes methamphetamine and marijuana, coupled with the quantity of methamphetamine, baggies, and scale found inside Kasey and Michelle’s bedroom, both were charged with its contents,” the arresting agent wrote.
Hassell and Lees were arrested and booked into Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
Hassell has been charged with two felonies related to drug possession with intent to distribute, as well as misdemeanors for tampering with evidence and possessing drug paraphernalia. He is currently still held at the county jail with bail set at $25,000, according to court records.
Lees has been charged with a felony offense of drug possession with intent to distribute, as well as misdemeanors for drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lees has since been released on bail.
The two originally faced additional charges upon their arrest that have since been dropped following a review of the charges by the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
Hassell and Lees have each made initial appearances in 5th District Court. Subsequent court appearances are scheduled for next week.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A pursuit that stretched from a highway in Enoch to a neighborhood in New Harmony and ended with the arrests of two individuals got started with a party in Salt Lake City, a stolen vehicle and a GPS tracking system.
Mariah Kay Hurse, 21, of Salt Lake City, and 21-year-old Taylor Lane Collier, of Boardman, Oregon, were booked into the Iron County Jail early Thursday morning facing numerous charges after they allegedly led police on a high-speed pursuit in a stolen vehicle.
The vehicle, initially reported as a gray Toyota Camry, was equipped with a GPS tracking system that indicated the car was parked at the Family Dollar Store Wednesday afternoon, Enoch Police Cpl. Jeremy Dunn said.
Mariah Kay Hurse, of Salt Lake City, Utah, booking photo, April 19, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Officers responding to the location were unable to find the car.
Meanwhile, police learned there was a mistake on the vehicle’s registration, and the vehicle reported stolen was a white Camry, which was quickly located in the parking lot, Dunn said.
By the time officers realized the error, Collier and Hurse had exited the store and were getting into the car.
As they drove the Camry from the parking lot, Dunn pulled in behind the vehicle and activated his lights. The pursuit began southbound on North Minersville Highway.
The Camry pulled onto Interstate 15 heading south and began passing other vehicles using the emergency lane, which became more dangerous when the car reached Cedar City.
“The driver continued passing large semis using the emergency lane to the right,” Dunn said.
Taylor Lane Collier, of Boardman, Oregon, booking photo, April 18, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Meanwhile, patrol vehicles were positioned to slow surrounding traffic as the Camry driver became more erratic, reaching speeds in excess of 120 mph, prompting police to terminate the pursuit due to the risk to the public.
After losing sight of the car, officers spotted it heading south at a high rate of speed on Old Highway 91, which parallels the interstate.
Officers continued following in the direction of the Camry and obtained an updated GPS location showing it to be in New Harmony.
Police located the vehicle stuck in some willow bushes near 2162 Tu-Ee Trail, Dunn said. Collier and Hurse were gathering their belongings from inside the car as officers approached.
“We were shouting commands and had our guns drawn, and right then the female crammed heroin into her mouth and swallowed it – right in front of me,” Dunn said.
“Hurse was also charged with possession because what she didn’t understand is that even though she swallowed the drug, she still had it in her possession.”
Hurse was given naloxone, an opioid-overdose antidote often carried by first responders, and was taken to the hospital, while Collier was arrested, transported and booked into the Iron County Jail.
Image of the Tu Ee Trail area where stolen vehicle was located Wednesday night in New Harmony, Utah, Apr. 18, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Google Earth, St. George News
Investigators learned that the Camry’s owner invited a woman matching Hurse’s description to a party in Salt Lake City. The woman later disappeared and guests discovered the car was missing as well.
“We don’t know if Collier was at the party with Hurse, and no other guests saw anyone matching his description, but we do know Hurse was there and then both she and the car disappeared,” Dunn said.
Police believe that Hurse stole the vehicle and then picked up Collier after she left the party. Collier was driving the car from the parking lot of the Family Dollar store, so both were charged with the theft of the vehicle.
Over the last month, the couple had been living in a tent in Sandy after Collier had come to Utah from the Pacific Northwest, according to his statement to police.
Court documents said that during a search of the vehicle and area where the car was located officers found a large amount of marijuana, scales, a clear bag containing a white powder substance, syringes and other items.
Blood tests showed that both Collier and Hurse had a measurable amount of drugs in their system, according to the documents. Police also discovered that Collier driver’s license had been suspended in Oregon.
He was booked into jail on 10 charges, including one count of receiving a stolen vehicle, which is a second-degree felony, and failing to stop at an officer’s command, a third-degree felony.
Collier also faces two counts of drug possession with intent to distribute; one count of drug possession; and one count of driving with a measurable amount of a controlled substance, all class A misdemeanors. In addition, he was charged with class B misdemeanors for drug possession; reckless driving; driving on a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Collier is being held in the Iron County Jail without bail, and is scheduled to appear April 23 in 5th District Court in Cedar City.
Hurse, who appeared in court Friday, is charged with one second-degree felony count of receiving a stolen vehicle. She also is charged with one count of tampering with evidence and two counts of possession of a controlled substance, all of which are class A misdemeanors, as well as one class B misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance.
Hurse’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 2. She is being held without bail in the Iron County Jail.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A man was arrested Wednesday in a case involving a woman reportedly being held against her will inside of an apartment in St George, as the investigation into the incident continues.
At 3 p.m. officers were dispatched to a residence in the area of West 360 North after a 911 call reported that a woman who traveled from Las Vegas to St. George with friends was “being held against their will and was not allowed to leave,” St. George Police officer Lona Trombley said.
Anthony Marcus Alamillo, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 25, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
It was also reported that illegal drug use and fraudulent activity was taking place at the residence where the woman, who lives out of state, was being held, Trombley said.
Police responded to the apartment to perform a welfare check on the woman and found her inside of the residence, Trombley said, adding “that individual is safe and working with detectives at this time.”
While investigating the call, officers arrested 21-year-old Anthony Marcos Alamillo, of St. George, for multiple offenses, Trombley said. He was subsequently booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility.
Alamillo was formally charged Thursday with a third-degree felony count of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, along with one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of paraphernalia, both of which are class B misdemeanors, with bail set at $6,360, according to court documents.
During the investigation, officers learned that a family member received a call from the woman stating that she was being held against her will, and the relative called 911 to have officers “go out and check on the individual,” Trombley said.
The investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released as it may jeopardize detectives’ efforts, she added.
Alamillo was released from custody Thursday after posting a bond, with an initial appearance scheduled May 3 in 5th District Court in St. George.
Trombley said that additional information will be released as it becomes available.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and does not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A woman arrested Thursday faces 20 felony charges in a case that began with a call to 911 reporting that an individual was being held captive at a St. George apartment days before.
Devina Marie Grajeda-Alamillo, 39, of Las Vegas, was arrested and booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility facing seven counts of possession of a forgery device; 10 counts of using/possessing a stolen credit card; three counts of knowingly using false card for a transaction and one count of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, along with four misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Devina Marie Grajeda-Alamillo, of Las Vegas, Nev., booking photo from April 26, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The offenses stem from an incident that began Wednesday when police responded to a report of a woman reportedly being held against her will at the Las Palmas Resort on Canyon View Drive in St. George.
Read more:Police investigate report of woman held captive in St. George apartment
The woman told police she had traveled to St. George from Las Vegas to babysit Grajeda-Alamillo’s children and was assaulted while in the apartment and threatened with a Glock .45 handgun.
During the investigation, officers learned that two individuals were possibly involved in the incident – Grajeda-Alamillo and her son, Anthony Alamillo.
After officers searched the residence and spoke to witnesses, search warrants were obtained for the unit at Las Palmas Resort and for an apartment belonging to Alamillo, as well as multiple vehicles and a Penske moving truck.
Officers discovered two vehicles that were purchased Tuesday using false identification from an automobile dealer in St. George. After police searched the cars and removed the contents from each, both were returned to the dealer.
In a Toyota Camry belonging to Alamillo, police found a purse containing multiple credit cards in various names, along with other items.
In a Honda CRV purchased from the car dealership, police located a shoe box that contained more than 40 credit cards in various names that did not belong to either suspect, along with other fake identification cards.
In a suitcase located nearby, police found an I.D. printer, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana as well as the Glock .45, which was in a child’s backpack tucked inside the suitcase. Police believe it to be the weapon described by the woman reportedly held captive.
At Alamillo’s residence on North 500 West, police found several devices used to make fraudulent identifications, along with additional credit cards that did not belong to the suspects, as well as a notebook containing numerous credit card numbers.
In the notebook, officers also found information relating to the woman reportedly held against her will.
While searching a vehicle belonging to Grajeda-Alamillo, police uncovered multiple sheets of printed $100 bills.
In a purse located inside of the vehicle officers also discovered pills and a white powder that allegedly belonged to Grajeda-Alamillo.
She is in custody on the charges related to Wednesday’s incident, with bail set at $100,000.
She is also being held on charges stemming from an incident March 20 in which she is suspected of using a fraudulent credit card at a spa in St. George, and faces one count of possession of a stolen credit card, a third-degree felony, as well as unlawful use of a credit card, a class A misdemeanor. Bail on those charges is set at $6,950.
Braelie Jade Alamillo, of St. George, Utah, booking photo from April 26, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Alamillo’s wife, Braelie Jade Alamillo, was also arrested Thursday after the search of the residence. She was booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility on two class A misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, one class B misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance and a possession of paraphernalia, also a class B misdemeanor. Bail was set at $5,270.
She was released from custody Friday after posting a bond and is scheduled to appear May 3 in 5th District Court in St. George to be arraigned on the charges.
St. George Police officer Lona Trombley said Braelie Jade Alamillo’s arrest was unrelated to the report of a woman being held against her will.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A man suspected of breaking into a St. George tire store was arrested after hiding in a row of tires while police had the building surrounded during the early morning hours Friday.
Christopher Michael Bishop of LaVerkin, Utah, bookings photo from April 27, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Christopher Michael Bishop, 32, of LaVerkin, was arrested and booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility and faces a second-degree felony count of theft of a motor vehicle, burglary and criminal mischief/theft, both second-degree felony counts, along with failing to stop for an officer’s command, a class B misdemeanor. Bishop is being held on $21,850 bail.
The incident began shortly before 2 a.m. when officers responded to an alarm activation at Sunrise Tire at 390 Red Cliffs Drive, St. George Police officer Lona Trombley said.
According to surveillance footage, Bishop was inside of the store when the first officer arrived.
Sunrise Tire’s co-owner and president, Travis Graff, said he also responded to the store after he was alerted to the alarm activation.
Meanwhile, additional officers arrived and surrounded the building.
The store is equipped with surveillance footage that captured Bishop entering the store through an area near the ceiling.
Officers also observed Bishop as he opened multiple drawers along the counter in the front of the store, Trombley said.
Surveillance footage shows arrest at Sunrise Tire on Red Cliffs Drive after a man is caught inside of the store early Friday morning, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Sunrise Tire, St. George News
The surveillance footage showed him loading tools and other items into an off-road vehicle parked inside the building near one of the mechanic’s bays. When he heard officers approaching attempted to exit through the rear of the store, but was unable to do so without being detected.
As multiple police cars responded, Bishop made his way to a row of tires located above the shop, where he hid from officers as they entered the building.
Officers located Bishop, took him into custody and transported him to jail.
This is the first burglary ever reported at Sunrise Tire during its 28-year history, Graff said, and the only other incident involved used tires that were stolen a few years ago.
Surveillance footage shows arrest at Sunrise Tire on Red Cliffs Drive after a man is caught inside of the store early Friday morning, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Sunrise Tire, St. George News
Graff added that over the years the alarm was set off accidentally a number of times, and he has paid the false alarm fines “willingly” because he appreciated that officers responded to the store each time.
“I’m grateful that they acted even in those times when they weren’t require to act,” Graff said.
The surveillance footage showed the suspect’s activity and what transpired inside of the store and shop, which “gave us a pretty good idea of what his intent was, and what he was busy doing,” Graff said.
What stood out to the owner the most, he said, is the professionalism of the officers, and the fact that instead of rushing everything to get the incident resolved, they chose to handle the situation effectively, which resulted in a “positive outcome.”
He also noted that the officers’ actions resulted in no loss of merchandise and minimal damage to the store, “so we didn’t really lose anything.”
Graff continued, “We are so appreciative of the St. George Police Department, and when I got here they already had the building surrounded,” Graff said, “and their quick response and professional manner which ended with the guy being apprehended.”
Bishop remains in custody at the writing of this report.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — The man who triggered a multiagency manhunt after allegedly assaulting an officer in northern Arizona Friday has turned himself into authorities.
Darren Bruce Boone, of Littlefield, Arizona, bookings photo posted May 1, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Darren Bruce Boone, 34, of Littlefield, Arizona, was arrested late Monday night for two active warrants for aggravated assault on an officer and resisting arrest with physical force, both felonies.
At approximately 11 p.m., deputies were advised that Boone was at the Sheriff’s Office in Kingman, Arizona, to turn himself in, according to a news release issued by Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
Arriving deputies observed Boone waiting on the front steps of the office with another man, according to the news release, and he was subsequently arrested and booked into Mohave County Jail without incident.
Boone’s arrest warrants stem from a traffic stop Friday morning in Beaver Dam, Arizona, that ended in Boone fleeing custody. Police say he attacked a deputy who was placing him under arrest for driving without a license in a vehicle with expired plates.
While Boone was being placed in handcuffs, a struggle ensued with the deputy, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
In this file photo, law enforcement personnel prepare to search for Darren Boone after he allegedly resisted arrest and fled custody in Beaver Dam, Ariz., April 27, 2018 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
During the struggle, Boone allegedly took the deputy’s Taser and tried to use it on the officer. When the Taser reportedly failed to deploy, the Sheriff’s Office said Boone reached for the deputy’s weapon.
An armed bystander whom police describe as a good Samaritan came to the deputy’s aid by firing a warning shot into the air, at which point Boone ran into a nearby wash.
Boone evaded capture after a multi-agency manhunt ensued that included a SWAT team and a helicopter search crew.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office told St. George News they did not have any additional information about where Boone was over the weekend before turning himself in Monday.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A St. George man was arrested on multiple charges after police received numerous calls from the public identifying the suspect after images of an alleged burglary were posted on the department’s Facebook page and released to the media.
Juan Peraza Chavez, of St. George, Utah, bookings photo posted May 1, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Juan Peraza Chavez, 35, was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility. He faces multiple charges, including one third-degree felony count of burglary and one count each of criminal mischief and theft, both class B misdemeanors. Chavez is being held on $6,360 bail.
“Tips received from that request for assistance helped to identify Juan Chavez, which led to his arrest,” St. George Police officer Lona Trombley said.
Chavez was formally charged Thursday during an arraignment hearing held at the 5th District Court in St. George.
The arrest and charges stem from a burglary reported April 21 at a local title loan business where the suspect, later identified as Chavez, entered the business through a window at the back of the store that was shattered after he allegedly threw a rock at it.
The surveillance footage showed Chavez going through the building wearing a short-sleeved shirt, exposing his forearms where several distinct tattoos were clearly visible in the security images.
Surveillance image shows man carrying iPad mini during alleged business burglary in St. George, Utah, April 21, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department, St. George News
After allegedly taking an iPad Mini and an attached keyboard, Chavez exited the store through the broken window.
Photos from the surveillance footage taken during the incident were posted on the St. George Police Department’s Facebook page and released to the media the following day.
The exposure triggered a high volume of calls in which “the suspect, ‘Juan Chavez’ was named on every call,” the probable cause statement written in support of his arrest stated. During one call, police were told that Chavez was seen wearing the same clothing that appeared in the security images.
Chavez’ arrest came six days later, and he remains in jail at the time of this report. His next court appearance is scheduled May 7.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — After a man wouldn’t let his wife out of the car, police chased him down Interstate 15 until his car smashed into a truck carrying boulders Wednesday in St. George.
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitractor-trailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
It started when a woman was trying to wave down traffic for help from the passenger seat of a Chevrolet Tahoe southbound on I-15 near mile marker 40, according to a press release from the Utah Highway Patrol.
A UHP trooper located the “suspicious vehicle” near mile marker 21 and tried to make a traffic stop.
That’s when the driver of the Tahoe sped away and the pursuit began, police said. St. George Police and Washington County Sheriff’s deputies assisted UHP in chasing down the Tahoe.
The chase came to a sudden stop at about mile marker 4 when the Tahoe struck the side of a semitractor-trailer carrying boulders at about 40 mph. Dash cam footage from a UHP vehicle shows the truck pulling in front of the Tahoe into the left shoulder of the freeway before the crash.
See video of dash cam footage above.
“It appears that the semi-truck was swerving to the left to avoid stopping traffic ahead of it,” reads the UHP press release. “It happened to pull right in front of the Tahoe and the crash occurred.”
Police then conducted a felony stop and the driver was arrested without further incident. The suspect was identified as Luis Carlos Martinez-Ramirez, 36, of Bakersfield, California. He was booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The woman who was waving for help from the car suffered a minor injury from the crash, but she refused medical treatment at the scene. There was also an infant in the car who was uninjured.
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitractor-trailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
After a preliminary investigation by UHP, police discovered that the man and the woman were married, but they were separated. The woman is from Orem, and when Martinez-Ramirez came to visit her, police said he took the woman and the baby for a drive. He started driving south on I-15, and the woman knew something was wrong near Fillmore.
She begged to get out of the car, but police said Martinez-Ramirez would not let her out of the car. The woman was released after conducting an interview with police.
According to Google Maps, it’s about a four-hour drive from Orem to St. George.
St. George Fire Department also responded to the scene.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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A woman and an infant are led away from the scene of a crash after her husband allegedly refused to let her out of the car in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitractor-trailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Traffic is backed up on Interstate 15 after a pursuit ended with a crash in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitractor-trailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitrailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitractor-trailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitractor-trailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitractor-trailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
A Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in a pursuit with police is smashed after hitting a semitractor-trailer full of boulders on Interstate 15 in St. George, Utah, May 9, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
IRON COUNTY — Charges were filed Wednesday against an Iron County man after an incident involving a family argument that evolved into a shot being fired late Tuesday night.
Robert Owen Lambeth, 71, of Cedar City, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Iron County Jail on one count of discharge of a firearm; shooting in the direction of a person, a third-degree felony. The Iron County Attorney’s Office later added a charge of aggravated assault, also a third-degree felony.
A call to 911 reported that shots were being fired at a residence on North 2950 West, according to a probable cause statement supporting the arrest.
During the call it was reported that Lambeth had allegedly shot at his son-in-law inside the residence.
Iron County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home where they found Lambert’s son-in-law waiting outside.
Robert Owen Lambeth, of Iron County, Utah, booking photo, May 9, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Deputies entered the home to speak to Lambeth, who told them he retrieved his rifle from a closet during an argument with his son-in-law.
He returned to the room and allegedly fired one shot in the direction of his son-in-law to “scare him,” and to get him “out of the house” police said in the statement.
According to court records, Lambeth suffers from dementia and “does not recall a lot of the details from the incident.”
Lt. Del Schlosser said that while Lambeth was booked into jail on one third-degree felony count of discharge of a firearm at the time of his arrest, the second charge of aggravated assault was likely added because of where the shot was fired from.
“So that charge probably stands because Lambeth fired the gun over the top of the head of the other individual,” Schlosser said.
Dementia is also noted in the report, he said, which will likely require a mental health evaluation ordered by the court, “but that’s up to the attorney,” he said.
Lambeth’s appearance scheduled at the 5th District Court in Cedar City Thursday was canceled, and no further information regarding his next scheduled hearing was available at the time of this report. He remains in jail on $5,000 bail.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A man was arrested in Washington City Sunday with drugs, a printer and a backpack full of bills that police said were “obviously fraudulent.”
Jackie Lee Elsbury, 39, of Murray, was arrested after police found him with multiple counterfeit bills in Washington City, Utah, May 20, 2018 | Booking photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Jackie Lee Elsbury, 39, of Murray, allegedly was attempting to buy some merchandise at the Chevron Gas Station on Buena Vista Boulevard with a $50 bill that was believed to be fake Sunday afternoon, said Washington City Police Lt. Jason Williams. The gas station clerk called police, and when police officers arrived, Elsbury was still in the parking lot inside of a vehicle, Williams said.
“During the course of the investigation, there were more counterfeit bills found on him as well as some drug paraphernalia,” Williams said.
Eight fake bills, ranging from $10 to $100 bills, were found inside a backpack inside the vehicle, according to the probable cause statement written by the responding officer. The driver of the car told police that the backpack belonged to Elsbury.
All of the bills were “obviously fraudulent” because the printing was not centered, they felt different than legitimate bills, there were no watermarks, and the colors were off, according to the probable cause statement.
“During the search of the vehicle, there was some papers and a printer found,” Williams said. “We’re not knowing if that was the exact paper or printer used, but it looked like they were in the process of printing more.”
The $50 bill that Elsbury allegedly first tried to pay with was found in a nearby garbage can where Elsbury told police he stashed it after failing to get it past the cashier, according to the probable cause statement. There was also several other counterfeit bills found in the garbage can.
Police also found a glass pipe on Elsbury, as well as a glass container containing 5 grams of a white substance believed to be methamphetamine in his backpack, according to the probable cause statement.
Elsbury was arrested without incident and taken to the Purgatory Correctional Facility, where he was charged with eight second-degree felony counts of forgery, one count of possession of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $25,000, and at the time of this report, Elsbury remains in custody.
This isn’t the first time Elsbury was charged with forgery charges; according to court documents in Utah, Elsbury was slapped with forgery charges in February 2003, and then again in December of the same year. He also has a long history of drug and theft charges in Utah.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
Ed. note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the day Elsbury was arrested.
ST. GEORGE — A man suspected of stealing high-end items from two employers and then selling them on eBay was charged Thursday in 5th District Court Thursday.
Spencer Scott Holland, 39, of St. George, is charged with a second-degree felony count of theft, along with three third-degree felony counts of burglary.
Spencer Scott Holland, 39, of St. George, is charged with four felony counts in connection with multiple burglaries, St. George, Utah, May 21, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by St. George Police detectives after a manager of a retail automobile parts store called police on May 8 to report that items worth an estimated $10,000 were missing from the shop’s inventory, according to charging documents filed with the court.
Police were also told that the items were taken over a period of several months.
The store manager also said it appeared that whoever entered the store used a key to do so and knew how to use the alarm system which was deactivated on at least two occasions.
Detectives learned from the shop manager that Holland was employed at the store for more than two years and left the company a year ago to work for another business in the auto parts industry.
The manager told detectives that he located most of the stolen items on eBay, showing Holland as the seller, along with additional parts that appeared to have possibly come from Holland’s subsequent employer.
The manager then contacted that employer, who identified the merchandise being sold on eBay as the items taken from the business.
Holland was terminated and returned what was left of the stolen items to the business and no charges were filed in that incident.
According to the statement, items matching the missing merchandise from the first company were being sold on eBay and another website. Police obtained a warrant to search Holland’s residence.
While searching a shed and surrounding area police located several items that appeared to have been stolen from the parts store. Items were also located in Holland’s truck, car and under the side awning on his home.
During police questioning, Holland allegedly admitted to taking items from his past employer on more than 10 occasions while working there.
Then, using a key he copied while still employed at the business, he entered the store on at least three occasions to take property that, according to Holland, had a value of $4,000 to $5,000.
He then sold the items online for a fraction of the retail value.
He was arrested and taken to Purgatory Correctional Facility.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
SALT LAKE CITY — Nearly 50 people were arrested during a four-day prostitution sting operation in Salt Lake City that ended Friday.
Dozens of women made agreements with men that they had no idea were police, and undercover female officers walked the streets making deals with unsuspecting would-be customers, FOX 13 News reported.
During the operation, which took place throughout the Salt Lake Valley, officers searched hotel rooms and the streets for those involved with prostitution, Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking told KSL Friday.
“We have religious leaders, politicians, your homeless, your average Joe out there,” Wilking said. “We have everybody that solicits prostitution, all different walks of life, as well as the women that are engaged in prostitution come from all different walks of life.
“The prostitution isn’t going away, but neither are we. We’re going to continue to focus on that.”
Read KSL’s full story here and view FOX 13’s exclusive video featuring a ride along with police during the sting.
ST. GEORGE — A Hurricane man charged with stealing food, water and electricity from his neighbors was arrested Tuesday after a fire brought police to his place of residence.
Anthony James Jessop, 43 was charged with multiple offenses in 5th District Court Thursday, including a second-degree felony count of burglary and misdemeanor counts of theft of services, burning without a permit and theft.
Anthony James Jessop, 43, of Hurricane, Utah, bookings photo posted May 29, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Firefighters responded to a fire reported near a trailer in the area of 505 North 50 W. in Hurricane and quickly extinguished the blaze.
Police were also dispatched to the fire and were advised by the fire officials that the person who started the fire said he was burning weeds in the yard, according to court documents, which is prohibited unless done during open burn season.
Officers recognized Jessop as he was exiting the trailer, according to the probable cause statement written in support of his arrest.
A records check showed an active warrant for Jessop, and officers placed him under arrest for the warrant and illegal burning.
The warrant arrest stems from a 2017 case in which Jessop failed to appear in court on two charges, including misdemeanor charges of failing to stop at an officer’s command and interfering with an arrest and an infraction for disorderly conduct.
Officers looking over the burn area noticed what appeared to be wire under some yard debris, according to the police statement. Police said when confronted about it, Jessop said he was burning weeds and the wire must have been under the vegetation, allegedly unbeknownst to him at the time.
Map shows location of trailer located at 505 North 50 W. indicated by a red pin in Hurricane, Utah | Image courtesy of Google Earth, St. George News
Officers also located a garden hose that ran from Jessop’s trailer to a hose connection located in an empty lot next door, according to the statement. A portion of the hose opposite the trailer was partially buried, which police said they believed was done in an attempt to hide it.
In a witness statement, the next-door neighbor told officers that the hose was one that went missing from his property.
Officers also received multiple reports from Jessop’s neighbors that the suspect had allegedly been stealing water and electricity using hoses and extension cords.
When questioned about the water, Jessop allegedly replied, “You can’t steal water, it’s free.”
Officers checked the home and located several items previously reported stolen, according to the police statement, including a bicycle valued at $600 matching the description of one taken during a residential burglary reported the week before a few blocks away.
The person whose bike was allegedly stolen also reported several other items missing, including spoons, eggs, milk and other food items. Police noted in the probable cause statement that a freshly broken egg was located outside near Jessop’s trailer.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A man who allegedly threatened his roommate with a pellet gun in St. George said he was commanded by the “Russian mob” to kill him Sunday.
Shawn Allen Maul, 40, of St. George, was arrested and booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility after allegedly threatening his roommate with a pellet gun in St. George, Utah, June 3, 2018 | Booking photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Shawn Allen Maul, 40, of St. George, allegedly approached his roommate in their home on 300 East in St. George Sunday morning with what appeared to be a handgun. After Maul threatened his roommate’s life, the roommate was able to grab the gun from Maul and a third roommate put Maul in an arm lock and pushed him against the wall, according to both roommates’ stories on the probable cause statement.
The gun was later discovered by police to be a “metallic and wooden facsimile pellet gun.”
After the roommate that Maul threatened took his pellet gun away from him, the roommate ran into his own bedroom and locked the door, according to the probable cause statement. Maul then was able to open the window to the roommate’s room to try to get the roommate’s cell phone, but the roommate was able to push Maul back outside the window.
The roommate ran out to the street to get away from Maul, and Maul reportedly ran away.
When police arrived at the house, they found Maul hiding in a bathroom inside his bedroom. Officers said they could smell alcohol on his breath. Maul told police it was his roommate who threatened him and he got his pellet gun because he was “afraid.”
Maul was arrested and while being taken to jail, he unbuckled his seatbelt in the back of the police car and began yelling while kicking the bars, the back window and the back door of the vehicle. All of his kicking caused the window seal to bend and detach from the inside of the door, according to the probable cause statement.
The arresting officer pulled over on the side of the road and another officer attempted to restrain Maul while he continued to kick and yell. Officers were able to put leg restraints on him and took him the rest of the way to Purgatory Correctional Facility.
Maul also continued to make threats against his roommate while on the way to jail. According to the probable cause statement, Maul said he was going to have “Ogden Trece” kill his roommate by Monday. Ogden Trece is the name of a gang in Ogden.
Despite Maul’s claim of being commanded by the Russian mob to kill his roommate, police have no evidence of any connections between Maul and any type of Russian mob, St. George Police officer Lona Trombley said. Maul also has no known connections to Ogden Trece.
Maul was charged with third-degree felony counts of aggravated assault, criminal trespassing and assault by a prisoner. He was also charged with intoxication, jail damage and interfering with arrest. A cash-only bail was set at $6,000.
Maul has a history of charges in Utah that stretch back to 1995, including burglary, theft, forgery, DUI and drug charges.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A suspected drug dealer was arrested in Washington City Wednesday after allegedly stealing merchandise from Walmart and stuffing it into his pants and underwear.
A booking photo shows Rocco Attolico, 30, of Las Vegas, who was arrested on drug-related and other charges, including theft from Walmart in Washington City, Utah, June 13, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Rocco Attolico, 30, of Las Vegas, was also found with drugs, drug paraphernalia, two of his father’s finance cards and his father’s Nevada driver’s license, according to the probable cause statement written by the responding Washington City Police officer.
Attolico was arrested and charged with two third-degree felonies for drug possession with intent to distribute and two third-degree felonies for unlawful possession of a finance card. He was also charged with misdemeanors for retail theft between $500 and $1500, unlawful possession of an ID, possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing a burglary tool and giving false information to a police officer.
Attolico was found by an officer at about 6 p.m. Wednesday a short distance from the Walmart store in Washington City, where an employee called authorities about the suspect allegedly stealing three items.
“While that officer was speaking with the suspect, he observed a box-shaped item located inside the pant leg of the suspect,” reads the probable cause statement.
Attolico removed the item from his pants, which police discovered to be one of the items stolen from Walmart. After placing Attolico in handcuffs, police searched him further and found two more stolen items in his underwear.
Along with his father’s driver’s license and finance cards, police also found a magnetic tool used to open security devices at stores, Xanax pills and a “tooter straw” on him, which is often used for snorting cocaine.
In Attolico’s fanny pack, police also found a syringe and some heroin, according to the probable cause statement.
Attolico first told police his name was “Michael Williams,” and he told police he had permission to use the finance cards. Attolico gave police officers the phone number for the person who owned the finance cards because he said the person at the other end of the number would confirm he had permission to use the cards. So police called the number.
“The person we made contact with stated that he was the suspect’s father and that his son has stolen a lot of different cards from him and made accounts using his name,” reads the probable cause statement. “The father stated that his son’s name was Rocco Attolico.”
Attolico admitted to lying about his name and also told police he was hired by a man in Las Vegas as part of a theft ring to come to Utah, steal items and then sell them for money or drugs, according to the probable cause statement.
He was arrested and booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility with a $10,000 cash only bail. At the time of this report, Attolico remains in custody at the jail.
Officers from the Washington Police Department did not respond to St. George News’ request for comment on Attolico’s arrest or the “theft ring” Attolico allegedly said he was part of.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — An argument in a LaVerkin parking lot Wednesday led to the arrest of a man and a woman, who are now facing multiple charges in three jurisdictions.
Officers were dispatched to a disturbance reported at the Davis Farmers Market store, 495 N. State Street. Responding police found a couple arguing in the parking lot, LaVerkin Police Sgt. Amber Crouse said.
Garrett Scott Shaffer, 40, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted June 13, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The officer spoke to the couple, later identified as 40-year-old Garrett Scott Shaffer, of St. George, and 36-year-old Amy Beth Caprioglio, of Hurricane.
A records check showed that both Shaffer and Caprioglio were wanted by police for questioning in an unrelated incident involving a theft reported at a hotel in Springdale.
The Springdale-Zion Canyon Department of Public Safety was contacted and confirmed that both individuals were persons of interest in connection with the theft, Britt Ballard, the department’s public information officer, said. Springdale Police Sgt. Jason Shafer and officer Matt Hansen made their way to LaVerkin to question the pair.
The Springdale incident involved camping gear that was allegedly stolen from a luggage rack located on top of a vehicle parked at a hotel June 9.
“The canvas on the luggage rack was cut open,” Ballard said, “and more than $1,000 worth of camping gear was reported stolen.”
The theft was reported the following day and surveillance footage of the hotel parking lot was turned over to police.
A still photo created from the footage was later posted on a social media site, and police received information identifying Shaffer and Caprioglio Tuesday after someone recognized the couple and contacted police.
During questioning, Ballard said both Shaffer and Caprioglio allegedly confessed to the crime and were placed under arrest for theft of the camping equipment and criminal mischief for damaging the canvas bag attached to the luggage rack.
Amy Beth Caprioglio, 36, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted June 13, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
With the suspects in custody, LaVerkin police began a search of the vehicle before it was impounded, Crouse said.
“Once they were arrested, an inventory was done on the vehicle, and that’s when the drugs were located,” Crouse said, “along with the stolen property from the Springdale case.”
In the meantime, one of the Springdale Police officers was searching Shaffer and recovered a box of fentanyl patches from the man’s pocket along with a single patch from his body, according to the probable cause statement written in support of the arrest, which noted that he did not have a prescription for the Schedule II drug.
The suspect, Shaffer, told Springdale officers that the stolen camping gear was located in a rental truck parked at the home he was staying at, according to the arrest document.
Police responded to where the rental truck was located and recovered “most of the property that had been stolen,” the police statement reads.
Shaffer and Caprioglio were then transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility and booked on multiple offenses.
Shaffer faces one count of theft and one count of drug possession, both class A misdemeanors, as well as one count of criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor.
Shaffer appeared in Fifth District Court Friday where he was arraigned on the charges and an additional misdemeanor drug possession charge stemming from the vehicle search by LaVerkin police.
Additionally, one count of theft of a rental vehicle, a second-degree felony, was filed by the Washington County Attorney’s Office Friday after St. George Police found that the rental truck, where the stolen camping gear was discovered, had not been returned to the rental agency.
As of Saturday, Shaffer remains in custody on $3,600 bail.
Caprioglio faces one count of theft and two counts of drug possession, both class A misdemeanors. One felony count of drug possession was later added for transporting contraband into the jail.
During a search of Caprioglio, corrections officers discovered she had a fentanyl patch, which she had failed to disclose to officers, Ballard said.
“She was asked prior to entering the jail if she had anything on her, and she told them she did not,” Ballard said. “So, they included that charge because they discovered it in the jail.”
Caprioglio appeared at the Fifth District Court where she was arraigned on the charges and remains in custody on $3,500 bail as of Saturday.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — While a man was unloading his groceries in Cedar City, police say a woman snuck into his car and stole his credit card Tuesday.
A booking photo shows Angela Nichole Devall, 20, who was arrested after allegedly stealing a man’s credit card and using it to spend about $3000 in just under 2 hours | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News/Cedar City News
Angela Nichole Devall, 20, allegedly stole the man’s credit card from his car and and started to make purchases with it at places like Walmart, Game Stop and online, Cedar City Police Sgt. Jerry Womack said.
“The man noticed a short time later that his credit card had been stolen and then almost immediately, charges were being made at local businesses,” Womack said.
In just under 2 hours, Devall spent about $3000 with the card, Womack said. Because there were charges made at local business, Womack said police were able to use footage from surveillance cameras at the businesses to quickly track down Devall and arrest her.
Devall was booked into the Iron County Jail and charged with two third-degree felonies of unlawfully acquiring and using a financial card, as well as a misdemeanor for burglary of a vehicle.
According to court documents, Devall’s criminal history in Utah includes two assault charges in 2008 and 2016.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
