Police Taser, arrest man in White City burglary after assault

WHITE CITY — A man who police say tried to burglarize a house, was held at bay by a resident with a grilling tool and then tried to escape by punching a police officer was eventually arrested and taken into custody Tuesday.

About 7:20 a.m., a couple at a house near 745 E. 10100 South reported to police they heard what sounded like someone in the basement. The boyfriend went into the basement and found a man who had entered through a basement window, said Unified Police Lt. Don Hutson.

"The resident challenged the suspect with some sort of boning knife and a barbecue fork," Hutson said.

The man held the intruder at bay until police arrived. Once the officer entered the basement, the resident put his tools down. But that's when the suspect lunged forward and punched the officer in the face, breaking his glasses and knocking him to the ground, Hutson said.

Both the resident and the homeowner chased after the burglar, who ran out of the house. Following a short foot chase through several yards and over fences, the officer was able to catch up with the man and deployed his Taser.

Dustin Burruss, 26, was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated burglary and other charges. Detectives were also investigating Burruss in connection with other burglaries in the area.

— Pat Reavy