Authorities have charged a West Valley City man who they believe is responsible for multiple thefts of vehicles, scrap metals, air conditioning units and electronics.
West Valley City police allege the 48-year-old man siphoned other's gas to fuel his own vehicle, stole multiple vehicle batteries and tires, took scrap metal from various businesses and stole numerous air conditioning units over several months in 2011, according to charging documents filed Thursday in 3rd District Court. All the crimes are alleged to have happened at businesses around Salt Lake County, costing those businesses thousands of dollars in total.
The man allegedly admitted that the crimes provided his primary source of income, and at least one helped him buy a vehicle.
The man was charged with 15 counts of theft, one count of pattern of unlawful activity, all second-degree felonies; two counts of burglary, a third-degree felony; one count of vehicle burglary, a class A misdemeanor; five counts of criminal mischief; and one count of criminal trespass, all class B misdemeanors.
Three other men have also been charged in the thefts.
jstecklein@sltrib.com
Twitter @sltribjanelle