No bail set for man accused in car thefts

PROVO — Police and prosecutors expressed frustration last week that Ira Walker had bailed out of jail yet again. They worried the man, accused in a series of vehicle thefts, might strike again.

Sure enough, Walker was arrested Thursday at a storage unit on State Street in Orem, where police said they found him behind the wheel of a Lexus that had been reported stolen in Provo the previous day.

The Orem man, who has been arrested at least six times since August, will have a longer stay behind bars this time. Fourth District Judge Samuel McVey on Monday ordered him held without bail on the allegations stemming from his latest arrest.

Walker, 32, who was also booked for investigation of possessing stolen credit cards, theft of a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon, has already been charged with 22 felonies this year. Police believe he and his girlfriend have been committing crimes throughout the northern end of Utah County.

Prosecutor Craig Johnson said it is "extremely rare" to impose a no-bail hold except in a capital murder case, but an exception exists if a person commits a felony while out on bail on another felony charge.

"Mr. Walker is a constant threat to the personal property and vehicles of Utah County residents," Johnson said. "When push comes to shove, (the Utah County Attorney's Office) has to step up to remove someone like this from the street."

— Paul Koepp