LAVERKIN — An attempt by police to question a couple in a reported forgery case led to seven people arrested on a total of 32 charges, 16 of them felonies, and six warrants collectively in the course of a multi-agency response that developed Saturday over the course of 11 hours in the LaVerkin-Toquerville area.
Reflecting on Saturday’s arrests, LaVerkin Police Officer Amber Crouse said she arrived at the first residence just before 2 p.m. to question two individuals to find out if they were involved in a reported forgery case. Almost 11 hours later seven people were booked into jail.
“It just goes to show that you never really know what to expect being a police officer,” she said, “because you have to be ready for the unexpected.”
Just before 2 p.m. Saturday, Crouse responded to a residence on Bringhurst Road on the border of LaVerkin and Toquerville to question two suspects who allegedly forged more than $6,000 in checks on an elderly woman’s account.
As she approached the residence, Crouse said, it appeared that no one was home until she encountered a man and woman exiting a trailer on the property and walking towards the rear of the house.
The man quickly jumped into a van and sped away while she began questioning the woman, Crouse said. After requesting additional officers assist and confirming an active felony warrant for her arrest, Amelia Guerrero was taken into police custody while remaining on the property until additional LaVerkin Police officers arrived.
It was later determined the man who had fled in a van earlier was Andrew Guerrero. He had outstanding warrants for his arrest as well, Crouse said, which may have been why he fled.
After additional officers arrived to assist in a search of the area, two more women were located on the property. After being identified and questioned, officers determined both had active warrants out for their arrest. Chasi Dawn Winningham was arrested for probation violation and drug possession after a search during the arrest revealed she had drugs concealed on her. Monique Salas initially gave false information to the officer but another deputy recognized the woman, confirmed her three active misdemeanor warrants and she was placed under arrest.
During police questioning one of the women appeared to lose consciousness all of a sudden, Crouse said, as if she fainted. She was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George before later being cleared for transport and booking.
The three LaVerkin Police officers were then joined by three Washington County Sheriff’s deputies and one officer from Springdale/Zion Canyon Department of Public Safety.
As officers continued searching the property and surrounding area they found Crystal Jade Randall, one of the primary suspects in the alleged forgery case that prompted the initial contact from police. Randall was questioned and placed under arrest on eight felony and five misdemeanor charges. Her arrest included charges of forgery, receiving stolen property, drug charges and exploitation of a vulnerable adult, among others.
A search warrant was obtained for the Bringhurst Drive property, a 27-foot trailer and residence. The search led officers to the second suspect in the forgery case, Dustin RG Christensen hiding inside, Crouse said. A K-9 officer advised Christensen that he would release the police dog if Christensen didn’t leave the residence and comply with officers. Christensen immediately surrendered, Crouse said, and was taken into custody on like charges to Randall’s.
Meanwhile officers began a search of the 27-foot trailer sitting to the side of the house, Crouse said. There, officers identified property reported as stolen, including several computers, components and other items – including the 27-foot trailer itself.
“After running the VIN (vehicle identification number) through a records check,” Crouse said in an off-camera interview, “we discovered it was a 27-foot 2012 Timber Ridge, reported stolen out of … Wyoming in October 2015.”
Officers’ findings then led them to a nearby property on Ashcreek Drive where two more women were located, Crouse said. After police began questioning the two women and confirming outstanding warrants on them as well, they were both arrested, one of them at gunpoint. Angela Clement was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant and several drug charges. Crystal Jones was arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant.
With seven people then under arrest and six yet needing transport, a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy contacted Purgatory Correctional Facility for a transport van to take the remaining six to jail.
The seven were booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on a total of 16 misdemeanor and 16 felony charges, two felony warrants, four misdemeanor warrants and one probation hold.
Booking charges were as follows:
- Dustin RG Christensen of LaVerkin was booked on charges of one class A misdemeanor for receiving stolen property $500-$1500; two class A misdemeanors for drug possession schedule 1,2, analog; one class B misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia; one class B misdemeanor for abuse-exploitation of a vulnerable adult through use, deprivation of the adult’s funds, assets, or property; one second-degree felony for possessing or receiving a stolen vehicle; six third-degree felonies for forgery-document or writing; one second-degree felony for theft of motor vehicle or firearm. Bail scheduled at the time of booking totaled $57,210 on Christensen’s charges and booking information reflects he remains in jail as this report publishes.
- Crystal Jade Randall of LaVerkin was booked on charges of one class A misdemeanor for receiving stolen property $500-$1500; two class A misdemeanors for drug possession schedule 1,2, analog; one class B misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia; one class B misdemeanor for abuse-exploitation of a vulnerable adult through use, deprivation of the adult’s funds, assets, or property; one second-degree felony for possessing or receiving a stolen vehicle; six third-degree felonies for forgery-document or writing; one second-degree felony for theft of motor vehicle or firearm. Bail scheduled at the time of booking totaled $57,210 on Randall’s charges and booking information reflects she remains in jail as this report publishes.
- Angela Dawn Clement of Toquerville was booked on charges of one class A misdemeanor for drug possession schedule 1,2 analog; one class B misdemeanor for drug possession schedule 3,4,5, Spice; one class B misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia; and on an outstanding third-degree felony warrant. Bail scheduled at the time of booking totaled $4,310 and Washington County Sheriff’s booking information reflects Clement has been released from jail.
- Amelia Marie Guerrero of West Valley was booked on an outstanding third-degree felony warrant. Bail scheduled at the time of booking was $5,000 and booking information reflects she remains in jail as this report publishes.
- Crystal Ann Jones of Springdale was booked on a misdemeanor warrant with $2,500 bail scheduled at booking. Booking information reflects she has been released from jail.
- Monique Salas of St. George was booked on charges of one class C misdemeanor for providing false information to a police officer, in addition to three outstanding misdemeanor warrants, classes A, B and C, respectively. Bail scheduled at the time of booking totaled $3,738 on Salas’s charges. According to booking information, she remains in jail as this report publishes.
- Chasi Dawn Winningham of Cedar City was booked on charges of one class B misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia; one class A misdemeanor for drug possession 1,2, analog. She was also placed on a 72-hour hold for probation violation. Bail scheduled at the time of booking totaled $2,630 on Winningham’s charges and booking information indicates she remains in jail as this report publishes.
Andrew Guerrero of St. George, who fled the Bringhurst Lane property at the beginning of Saturday’s law enforcement approach, was not included in the arrests made Saturday. He was, however, arrested by county law enforcement Sunday on an outstanding warrant and booked into the county jail. Adult Probation and Parole then placed him on a 74-hour hold. Andrew Guerrero’s arrest was unrelated to the LaVerkin incidents, Crouse said. Whether charges will be brought against him in connection with Saturday’s law enforcement action is yet to be determined. Bail scheduled on Andrew Guerrero’s warrant arrest is $450, according to booking information, and he remains in jail as this report publishes.
LaVerkin City Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Springdale/Zion Canyon Department of Public Safety responded and assisted with searches, arrests and transport.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact. Given the President’s Day holiday weekend, information is not immediately available to identify any counsel who may be representing the arrested parties for comment.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
Amazingly some of these folks have been in bookings before.
Good solid police work!
Good Job Amber! So glad these people are off the street. Taking advantage of a senior citizen. That could have been my mom.
To bad they arrested the wrong people. this means there will be another Republican debate on TV
Outstanding police work!! Thanks to your diligence and training you have made a solid dent in the actions of this ring of ignoble thugs. The paperwork on this many with their assorted crimes must be a nightmare.
If you steal from the elderly or handicapped, you are a scumbag.