Truckloads of stolen goods recovered

Investigators say it was like a pawn shop for people who wanted drugs.

A search warrant served by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office late Sunday turned up tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise. Televisions, stereos, four motorcycles including a custom Harley Davidson in excellent condition, four pocket motorcycles, golf clubs, film projectors, a car and seats from a BMW were just a few of the recovered stolen items.

In all, detectives needed two trucks to haul away the stolen property and check it into their evidence garage.

A 35-year-old man was arrested in connection with the case and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for drug possession and four counts of possessing a stolen vehicle.

"He's a significant player in the drug world," said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Robby Russo, chief of police for Cottonwood Heights. "We knew exactly who he was. He's an experienced player. He knew not to sell (drugs) out of his house."

For a couple of months investigators had been monitoring an alleged drug operation. The main suspect was believed to be selling drugs out of various hotels, Russo said.

As is typical in many drug cases, people who wanted to buy drugs but didn't have any cash would steal merchandise from cars or homes and trade it in exchange for drugs, he said. In some cases the stolen merchandise would be held as collateral by the alleged dealer.

All of that stolen merchandise was stored at the suspect's house near 1700 E. Fort Union Blvd.

Russo said detectives noticed extra activity in front of that house Sunday night and feared the man might be on to them and was trying to close shop.

As the man's girlfriend was driving away from the house, deputies pulled her over and she confirmed he had learned investigators were on to him.

The sheriff's office quickly obtained a search warrant and executed it on the house.

They then called the alleged drug dealer and told him the only person they could link at that time to the stolen property was his girlfriend and she would be arrested unless he showed up. A short time later he arrived back at his house and surrendered, Russo said.

Most of the stolen items came from recent burglaries in the Holladay and Cottonwood Heights areas, according to investigators. The Cottonwood Heights city treasurer was one of the victims. He had a motorcycle and stereo stolen.

Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvin Cullimore said he was extremely pleased with the efforts of the sheriff's office to recover the stolen property.

Investigators believe methamphetamine that was being exchanged for the stolen goods was being imported from Mexico, Russo said.

Detectives said Monday they want to question others in connection with the case and more arrests could be pending.

---

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com