Suspects in Desert Color break-in remain at large; police emphasize personal safety

ST. GEORGE — A home in the Desert Color area was broken into early Wednesday morning. The resident confronted the suspects who are still at large.

West Fire Sky Drive, St. George, Utah, Sept. 1, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

At approximately 3 a.m, three suspects entered a garage on West Fire Sky Drive and were confronted by the homeowner, St. George Police Officer Tiffany Mitchell said. The suspects left on foot and the resident followed them.

One of the suspects reportedly pulled a firearm and shot at least one round. Mitchell, however, said it is unknown whether they were aiming at the resident or shooting into the air. No injuries were reported.

The suspects fled in a dark-colored truck, the home’s resident said in a Facebook post. Security video obtained from a  nearby school showed the altercation between one of the residents and the suspects, as well as the men driving away. However, they were not seen on the video leaving the Desert Color area.

The police have not identified the suspects. Mitchell said police have received reports of men checking car doors as they walk through the neighborhood.

Staying safe

While St. George is an “amazing place to live,” the city is susceptible to criminals passing through on Interstate 15, including those from outside the United States, Mitchell said in a Facebook video posted by the St. George Police Department Wednesday. Individuals are breaking into unoccupied vehicles parked throughout the city and stealing credit and debit cards and going into big box stores. They are spending an average of $2,000 per transaction.

The department asked the public to help stop “this very preventable crime” by keeping valuables on their person or keeping them at home.

West Fire Sky Drive, St. George, Utah, Sept. 1, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

“If it’s inside your vehicle, whether it’s locked or not, it leaves it open for it to be stolen because oftentimes, they don’t hesitate to break glass to go through and look under the seats and in the glove box for valuables,” she said.

Residents should not leave key fobs, keys or valuables of any kind in a vehicle, even if it’s parked in the garage, Mitchell told St. George News in a text.

Additionally, garage doors should remain down and exterior entrances should be locked. Mitchell also advised homeowners to purchase security cameras and watch out for their neighbors, learn who they are and contact them when necessary.

“Be a good neighbor and a good friend and watch out for others,” she said in the video.

If a person sees something suspicious, notify the police immediately at 435-627-4300 or 911. Mitchell said to “be a good witness” and document suspicious activity if it can be done safely, take photos and videos, and take note of license plates and descriptions of the people involved.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!