Couple wanted in robbery of elderly Layton woman nabbed in Tennessee

A couple suspected of breaking into an elderly Layton woman's home, binding her with duct tape and stealing her credit cards, medications and other valuables were behind the bars of a Tennessee jail on Friday, awating extradition proceedings.

Hunter Daniel Hayes, a 30-year-old transient originally from Knoxville, Tenn., and Sarah Christine Eversten, 31, of Salt Lake City, were booked into Knox County Jail in Knoxville on Thursday. Jail records note the two were being held on Utah fugitive arrest warrants.

The couple are suspects in an April 11 break-in during which the 72-year-old Layton homeowner awoke to find intruders in her bedroom. She was quickly subdued and bound as the suspects rifled through her belongings, said Layton police Lt. Travis Lyman.

After the intruders fled with their loot, the victim eventually was freed herself enough to call out to neighbors, who came to her aid and called 911. Lyman said the victim was unhurt except for minor bruising.

However, in the days following the burglary, the victim's credit cards were used in several transactions, including cash withdrawals. Lyman said that Hayes and Evertsen, who had been hired by the victim in late March for some cleaning and other odd jobs around the home, soon became prime suspects.

Layton detectives on Thursday traced the couple to a Knoxville hotel, and after warrants were obtained, Knoxville police officers located and arrested the two.

Lyman said Hayes and Evertsen face first-degree felony aggravated burglary and second-degree felony theft counts, along with third-degree felony charges of possessing and unlawfully using stolen credit cards.

Exactly when the two will be returned to Utah for trial awaited yet-unscheduled Tennessee court proceedings.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims