OREM — Orem police made five arrests Friday in connection with burglaries at Utah Valley music and electronics stores.
"We didn't solve it in an hour like they do on television, but we solved it," Orem Police Lt. Doug Edwards said in a statement.
And while the case won't likely appear on a prime-time crime drama, the way it unraveled could pass for something out of a sitcom.
One of the thieves attempted to sell the stolen iPods on eBay — all under the same identity. Another, Edwards said, dropped his cell phone at the music store during the burglary.
A citizen who saw the individuals with some of the stolen goods also tipped police.
The five men range in age from 16 to 19. The three adults were arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of burglary and theft.
The two teenagers were arrested and taken to the Slate Canyon Youth Detention Center.
The first burglary took place last Saturday morning at Bert Murdock Music, 981 N. 1200 West. Store owners reported five guitars, distortion pedals and microphones were stolen. Police say the same group returned Monday morning and stole six more guitars and an amplifier.
On Wednesday morning, the group allegedly broke into Macsomething, 775 E. University Parkway, and stole 20 iPods.
In each case, the group smashed a window and grabbed the merchandise before police could arrive, Edwards said. All of the burglaries occurred at about 2:30 a.m.
The total value of the stolen goods was approximately $37,000. Bert Murdock Music lost about $25,000, while Macsomething lost about $12,000.
Police have been able to recover and return a majority of the stolen items.
Darren Westenhaver, owner of Macsomething, said he was "thrilled."
"These (detectives) have gone way beyond the call of duty and have done a far better job than any police officers I've ever heard of," he said.
Westenhaver said police recovered 18 of the 20 iPods that were taken from the store and told him they are still working on the last two.
"It's fantastic," he said. "I get all my stuff back in time for Christmas."
Police have been able to recover all of the items taken from Bert Murdock Music, but an employee at the store said they were not in the same condition as when they were stolen and can no longer be sold as new.
E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com