Public safety news from staff and wire reports
Salt Lake Tribune
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Stolen dog recovered after being spotted in car
A Maltese dog stolen Monday from a Bountiful pet store was recovered Wednesday when the dog's alleged thief was cited for retail theft in Salt Lake City. The 18-year-old man was being cited at a pet store when an employee at the business recognized the missing dog in the man's car, said Davis County sheriff's Sgt. Lon Brian. The man was booked into jail on suspicion of felony property theft. Monday's theft of the Maltese was the third time in an 11-day period that someone had stolen a puppy from Bird World Pet Village. Deputies are still looking for two stolen Chihuahuas.
Police serve two search warrants, bust meth lab
Salt Lake City police served search warrants at two locations early Thursday on drug-related cases. The first, an auto business in the 1100 South block of Richards Street (40 West), was served by a SWAT team at about 1 a.m. A working methamphetamine lab was discovered and two men were arrested and booked into the county jail. At 4 a.m., police served the second warrant in the 1500 South block of 1000 East as a result of information obtained during the earlier search.
Security guard attacked by juvenile perfume thieves
A Salt Lake City Meier & Frank security guard was assaulted Wednesday afternoon when he attempted to stop a juvenile who swiped a perfume tester. The thief started to fight with the guard, and was joined by three other juveniles, who struck the guard in the head and in the back with a sign. The four juveniles ran and were not found. The guard was in good condition on Thursday.
Cedar City police offer reward for info on pipe bombs
Two pipe bombs exploded in Cedar City early Wednesday, causing about $10,000 damage to a car wash and a park. Police Sgt. Jerry Womack said one bomb went off in a vending tray at Mr. Bubble's Car Wash. The other was placed on a towel dispenser in a women's restroom at the Discovery Park. No one was hurt in the explosions and police have no suspects. The city is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever built or placed the bombs. Cedar City police are being joined in the investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. George Police Department bomb squad. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also has been notified.
Federal court, not state, to prosecute former fire chief
State charges of enticing a minor over the Internet were dismissed Thursday against a former Unified Fire Authority chief because he is being prosecuted in federal court, where penalties are more serious. Dennis Steadman, 54, was arrested last month after arranging to meet a 13-year-old "girl," who was actually an undercover police officer. A federal grand jury on Wednesday returned one count of "coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity," which carries a potential 30-year prison term.