Two men accused of stealing materials from Gilsonite Mine in eastern Utah were recently arrested. According to law enforcement, they apprehended the men after finding the stolen materials in their truck. In a statement to the media, Uintah County Sheriff Jeff Merrell said that the two men were booked in county jail on suspicion of the following charges:
TheftBurglaryIllegal drug possession
Law enforcement received a 911 call on October 3 from an unidentified witness to the theft at American Gilsonite Co. After searching the area, deputies eventually spotted a truck matching the description provided by the 911 caller. After pulling the vehicle over, they found the alleged stolen mine equipment.
The stolen equipment included industrial-strength mining machinery and other valuables taken from the mine site which law enforcement estimated amounted to over $500,000. While searching the truck for the stolen mining equipment, law enforcement also uncovered narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
Theft and burglary are the charges of primary importance in this case, although the drug charges could lead to an additional sentence. Theft is detailed in § 76-6-412 of the Utah Criminal Code. Theft of an item or items valued at more than $5,000 is charged as a second degree felony.
According to § 76-6-202, burglary of a property not considered a dwelling is a third degree felony. Theft is the actual offense of stealing an item or items while burglary is the criminal act of unlawfully entering a property with intent to commit a felony.
If you have been charged with burglary, theft or a related felony offense, please do not hesitate to contact a Salt Lake City criminal defense attorney at our firm. The Zabriskie Law Firm has more than 50 years of combined experience to use in your defense, so call and discuss your case in a free consultation today!