PROVO — Big things often come in small packages.
But members of the Utah County Fugitive Apprehension Team were surprised to find what they call "a one-woman crime wave" stuffed into a small, square cardboard box.
"I'm a betting person," said Utah County Sheriff's Deputy George Alexanderson, "but I (would have) bet there was no way a person could fit in that box."
Police recently arrested 43-year-old Trisa Lynn Johnson, also known as Trisa Evans, on 22 outstanding felony warrants from nearly every city in Utah County.
Johnson is accused of such crimes as forgery, theft, drug possession, assault and prescription-drug fraud.
Alexanderson said Johnson had been on the run from the law for about a year, having skipped out on bail several times on various court charges. Agents also described her as a drug addict who turned to crime to feed her habit.
Alexanderson said it appears she would swipe other people's personal information, also known as identity theft, to pass checks.
Knowles said after the arrest, police found stolen checks and a valid Arizona driver's license with Johnson's picture — but a stolen name.
Alexanderson said the apprehension team received a tip from an informant that Johnson was moving items out of a Springville storage unit.
As police approached the Spring Creek Storage Units, 600 West and U-75, on June 12, they saw another woman whisper a possible warning to Johnson. But police were unable to find Johnson during the initial search of the storage unit.
Alexanderson said police are trained to look for fugitives in the most unexpected places. "We find them hiding in all sorts of locations," he said.
Knowles said he has found people hiding in kitchen cupboards above the sink, as well as in entertainment centers and under piles of dirty laundry.
But even with that training, police didn't give much thought to the 2-foot by 2-foot cardboard box.
"I walked right by the box," Alexanderson said. "One of the Springville officers just happened to lift the lid."
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com