School burglars arrested, books recovered

AMERICAN FORK — A man arrested for investigation of domestic violence turned out to be a burglary suspect police had been looking for.

Police say the man and his friend allegedly pried a door off an outdoor classroom at Greenwood Elementary School, 50 E. 200 South, late March 28, and made off with a backpack full of books worth nearly $800, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.

American Fork Police Sgt. Gregg Ludlow said they believe the men initially thought the backpack held a laptop computer.

The damage to the door was estimated at $200, according to the affidavit.

Officers responded to the school and took a report when the burglary was reported March 30 but had no leads until several hours later, when they got a 911 call about a domestic violence situation, Ludlow said.

A 24-year-old man was arrested for investigation of domestic violence in the presence of a child, and while officers were investigating, a witness told police that same man broke into the elementary school the day before, according to the affidavit.

When police asked the man about the burglary, he allegedly confessed to breaking in and said he tried to go back a second time but couldn't enter another outdoor classroom, according to the affidavit.

The man was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of burglary, attempted burglary, criminal mischief and theft.

The second man, 44, was located and booked a few hours later for investigation of burglary.

Ludlow said they recovered all of the stolen books.

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com