ST. GEORGE – Concluding what he had done wasn’t the smartest of moves, a man accused of burglarizing an area business turned himself in to police Friday.
Last Thursday, the St. George Police Department sought the public’s help in identifying a man caught on surveillance footage who had broken into a business on the east side of Foremaster Ridge in St. George.
Police received several anonymous tips identifying the man in the photos as 36-year-old James Michael Wilson, of St. George.
The detective in charge of the case was informed Friday that Wilson had turned himself in at the police station, according to a probable cause statement.
While being interviewed by police, Wilson allegedly admitted to having gone to the business with the intent to steal money for drugs.
“James said he was high on drugs and looking for money for more drugs,” the investigating detective wrote in the probable cause statement.
The burglary took place on Aug. 12, just after 5 a.m., at an area car wash.
Wilson went into an unlocked area where customers are able to access a cash machine. After using a piece of cardboard to turn off the automatic lights in the unlocked area, he then used bolt cutters to break a lock to a door, pried it open and looked inside.
“James said he looked around the room and realized what he was doing was stupid,” the detective wrote. “He turned around and fled the business without stealing anything.”
Wilson also told police he had thrown a backpack containing the bolt cutters he used in a dumpster, which police hadn’t recovered as of Friday, according to the probable cause statement.
Wilson was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He was charged with a third-degree felony for burglary and a class B misdemeanor for criminal mischief.
Wilson was released from custody on $5,680 bail.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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Wow, that was really decent of you, Mr. Wilson. You did a brave thing. I hope you get your substance abuse issues under control. #addictsneedtreatment
the police already had him as a suspect, so not too decent…
He had already committed the crime. so not too decent…..
He could have kept running. It is a hard thing to turn yourself in rather than waiting for the cops to show up with cuffs in hand. He also admits he needs help. I’m rooting for him.