Salt Lake police warn against leaving items in cars after alleged theft of up to $3K in gifts
Dec 22, 2024, 8:56 PM
A photo of shopping bags allegedly stolen from cars in Salt Lake City and found on Sunday by police. Salt Lake police are warning people not to leave valuables in their cars after they arrested two men who are accused of stealing gifts from cars. (Salt Lake police)
(Salt Lake police)
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake police are warning people not to leave valuables in their cars after officers arrested two men who are accused of stealing between $2,000 and $3,000 worth of property.
At 3:54 a.m. Sunday, a resident called 911 to report seeing two people wearing hoodies looking into cars at 2700 S. Elizabeth Street, Salt Lake City police said in a news release. When officers arrived in the area, they heard a car alarm, and they stopped a car they saw leaving the area.
“Inside the car, officers could see suspected stolen items, including shopping bags with receipts that didn’t match the name of either suspect. Officers also found a bike during the traffic stop that was reported as stolen,” according to the release.
The driver and passenger of the car were identified as Gabriel Esquibel, 46, and Robert Snell, 42.
“Much of the property recovered appears to be holiday shopping bags left unattended,” police said. “Based on the available information, and evidence found inside the car Esquibel drove, officers believe the two men may be responsible for other thefts not yet reported.”
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of theft or attempted theft in Salt Lake City should call 801-799-3000, police said.
Esquibel was booked into jail for investigation of theft, vehicle burglary, unlawful drug possession, unlawful possession of burglary tools, unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon, and improper placement of a license plate, according to the news release.
Snell was arrested for investigation of theft, vehicle burglary, unlawful drug possession, unlawful possession of burglary tools, and criminal trespass.
“The SLCPD wants to thank the community members who called 911 so quickly to report this incident. Officers learned that one of the community members received an alert from a home security system about an exterior camera detecting motion,” police said. “The community member then looked at the camera and saw the two suspects and called 911.”
