CRIME
Police investigating car break-ins in Lehi neighborhood and dealership
Jul 11, 2022, 6:52 PM | Updated: Jul 26, 2022, 3:57 pm
LEHI, Utah – Over the weekend, security cameras caught separate incidents in Lehi where thieves targeted cars parked in driveways and trucks at a car dealership.
“It looks like they had done this before,” said Lehi resident Scott Warner. “They opened the door with a glove.”
A little before 5 a.m. Saturday, Warner’s security camera captured a man entering his SUV parked in his driveway.
“They were well versed in stealing from people,” he said.
The footage shows the burglar opening the unlocked car door and using a flashlight to look around inside. The man got away with credit cards and cash.
“It’s more of the violation of privacy, that’s kind of the bigger issue,” he said.
Warner said he knows six neighbors whose cars were also burglarized the same night.
Then, late Saturday night, Lehi Police said two men tried to steal three trucks from the Rideout Motors dealership on State Street in Lehi.
“They had a basic idea, but they weren’t very good because the trucks are still here,” said owner Tim Rideout.
Even though the thieves weren’t successful, Rideout said they still caused costly damage to the trucks that totals more than $5,000.
“They mangled up the ignitions. They punched out all the door locks,” Rideout explained, adding that the men also ripped out batteries from some of the trucks.
“This is the fourth break-in we’ve had in a year,” he said. “The first two were into the building trying to get keys.”
Investigators hope someone recognizes something in the security footage
“It’s alarming that these burglars can walk around just so nonchalantly,” said Lehi Police Sgt. Bart Kirkham about the car dealership incident.
Kirkham said the community can help by watching out for and reporting suspicious activity.
“Homeowners can do a lot to just lock their vehicles,” Kirkham said. “Keep valuables hidden or take them indoors, don’t leave them overnight.”
Kirkham said to call Lehi Police dispatch at 385-201-1005 if you have information to provide or recognize the people in the security footage. He said no piece of information is too small.
“These burglars are out there looking for opportunities to victimize people,” Kirkham said.
