SPANISH FORK, Utah (ABC 4 News) – Police in Spanish Fork say they’ve uncovered a burglary operation involving at least 20 businesses.
The burglaries took place throughout Utah County.
Police say items taken from the businesses ranged from computers, tools, big screen television and cash. Investigators were able to confirm that the business burglaries took place in Spanish Fork, Salem, Pleasant Grove and Springville. They are still working information to determine if any other burglaries can be resolved.
Spanish Fork Officers had developed leads that Brandon Ault, a 31-year-old man from Springville, was the one responsible for doing the business burglaries. According to police, on January 15th, 2009 officers from Spanish Fork, Salem, Pleasant Grove, and Springville worked together and were able to catch Ault in the act of committing a business burglary in the Pleasant Grove area.
Police say several items were seized from Ault at that time as well as many other items seized from his home in Springville. After being caught in the act of a burglary police say Ault has been working with investigators in identifying where seized property was stolen from. Investigators estimate that they have recovered over $13,000 worth of property.
Police say items seized by officers were checked against the National Crime Identification Center – NCIC - by way of serial numbers. Several owners were located because they had recorded their serial numbers and were able to give those serial numbers to police officers when they reported their items stolen.
Investigators say almost every item seized has or will be returned to victims of the burglaries, however, there are a small amount of tools and two computers with no known owners. If you are a victim of a business burglary within the last six months and have lost items such as these please contact Detective Courtney Jones at 801-804-4700.
Ault has been booked into the Utah County Jail for several business burglaries. Investigators from each agency are now working with the County Attorney’s Office for formal charges against Ault.
