Police seek help with school theft
PROVO — Police are asking for the public's help in apprehending whoever broke into a Provo school, stole thousands of dollars' worth of electronics and also did extensive damage to the building.
Sometime late Sunday night or early Monday, someone broke into Amelia Earhart Elementary School, 2585 W. 200 South, and made off with 36 laptop computers and other electronic equipment. The thieves also caused more than $10,000 in damage to the school, Provo Police Capt. Cliff Argyle said.
The captain said it appears the thieves used a sledgehammer and pry bar to smash off doorknobs and pry open classroom doors.
"By the time they were done inside of the school, the school believes 36 laptop computers were taken, and six ceiling projectors and three digital cameras," Argyle said.
"Maybe someone had seen something that they didn't think odd at the time," he said. "But now that they're hearing about this, maybe we'll get a call that will help us out."
Anyone with any information is asked to call Provo police at 801-852-6220.
— James Davis
Ex-manager accused in store robbery
SOUTH SALT LAKE — A Cricket store robbed here in October was apparently the victim of an inside job led by the store's former manager, according to police.
A man entered the store at 257 E. 3300 South on Oct. 9, pointed a gun to the head of one of the employees, demanded money from the drawer and safe, and left.
The more that detectives learned about the case, however, the more things didn't match up, said South Salt Lake police detective Gary Keller.
Investigators eventually arrested Phillip Bolin, 34, and Javon McSwine, 24, and booked them into jail for investigation of aggravated robbery and burglary.
McSwine was already in jail on an unrelated charge, Keller said.
Arrest warrants for two others have also been issued.
— Pat Reavy
W. Jordan man ID'd as car-fire victim
Police have identified the man whose body was found inside a scorched car near Saltair last week.
An autopsy determined the man in the car was Gregory M. Nelson, 35, of West Jordan.
The car was discovered March 20 about two miles east of Saltair near the Great Salt Lake. Investigators said propane tanks with open valves were found inside the burned-out vehicle.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact detective April Morse at 801-743-5890.
A similar incident happened March 9 when a badly burned car and body were found in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
"We are investigating both as suspicious deaths but up until now have not uncovered any evidence of foul play," Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Don Hutson said.
—Ethan Thomas
Competency review sought in threat case
PROVO — A man who sent threatening e-mails to legislators, demanding justice, has been sent back to professionals for yet another competency review.
Bradley Roberts Taylor, 43, was scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in 4th District Court on a felony charge of making a threat against life and property, but his attorney, Tom Means, said he didn't feel comfortable proceeding.
"After giving this case a considerable amount of thought, I'm going to file another petition (into competency)," Means told Judge Lynn Davis. "I know there's been one filed in this case, but I just feel it's necessary."
Taylor was convicted in November of sending numerous e-mails that contained references to "bloody revolutions" and "lethal force," as well as statements such as, "I have no problem using justifiable lethal force in self-defense."
Taylor was apparently upset about a revoked driver's license and a previous DUI conviction, although court records don't show any indication of such a conviction.
— Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Canyonlands body likely suicide victim
MONTICELLO, San Juan County — Human skeletal remains were found late last week in Canyonlands National Park, but there was no evidence Wednesday pointing to a suspicious death.
A visitor in the Needles District of the park found the remains March 18 in the Fingers Canyon area, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. Investigators determined the remains were about a year old. Sheriff Mike Lacy said investigators believe they knew who the victim was, and all evidence pointed toward suicide. However, they were waiting for test results before announcing positive identification.
— Pat Reavy
Woman strikes deal in Ogden arsons
OGDEN — A woman accused of torching abandoned homes in a blighted downtown neighborhood has struck a plea deal with prosecutors.
Marianne Mancuso, 47, pleaded no contest to a pair of third-degree felony arson charges during an appearance this week in 2nd District Court. In exchange, court records show Weber County prosecutors dismissed two other charges.
Mancuso is accused of setting a series of fires last year at abandoned homes in an area slated for redevelopment along the Ogden River. Police said at the time that Mancuso confessed to the fires, saying that she wanted to jump-start the long-delayed renovation.
Fire officials said 10 fires have burned abandoned homes in the Ogden River Project area. Police have only linked Mancuso to a pair of fires. The rest remain under investigation.
— Ben Winslow