Man investigated in multiple thefts in Utah, S.L. counties

OREM — Police have arrested a man who is being investigated in cases involving the theft of more than $100,000 worth of property from more than 25 businesses in Utah and Salt Lake counties.

Police believe Jeremy Andrew Davies, 23, had been stealing everything from action figures to laptops from fast food restaurants, doctor's offices, hospice care centers, hair salons, title companies in the two counties since August 2009.

Sgt. Craig Martinez of the Orem Police Department said Davies was random in both the places he robbed and the things he took. He probably looked for any dark building with no one around and grabbed anything he could carry, Martinez said.

"If he was walking through with a backpack full of stuff and his front pants pocket was empty, he'd say, 'This thing will fit in it,' " Martinez said.

Police pulled over Davies' car Wednesday shortly before midnight and arrested him. When they went to search his house, they found many stolen items, Martinez said. "His house looked like a storage unit."

In Martinez's home, police found laptops, computers, stereos, X-boxes, candy, action figures, trinkets, violins and even pictures pulled from walls. While some of the items are of the type commonly stolen, such as stereo speakers, Martinez said, Davies had also taken "bizarre" things, such as a framed photo of someone's baby.

Martinez said investigators believe Davies had been trading the items for drugs and that he had used syringes, morphine and other medical supplies he had stolen from the hospice care center.

Items valued at more than $65,000 have already been returned to owners, and police are working on returning the rest, Martinez said.

Police said Davies is currently being held for investigation of one felony count of possession of a controlled substance; 11 felony counts of possession of stolen property; six misdemeanor counts of possession of stolen property; and possession of drug paraphernalia and of burglary tools, both misdemeanors.

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