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KANE COUNTY, Utah — A photograph, captured by a trail camera in Kane County, is giving new life to a frustrating investigation of the so-called Mountain Man. Police say they believe the man has been breaking into cabins in Iron, Kane and Garfield counties, living in them and stealing from the owners. Adding to their concern is their belief that the Mountain Man is armed and very dangerous.
After KSL broadcast the photo and the story, a flood of tips have come in to detectives in the Iron County Sheriff's Office. One possible tip pointed to a Tooele County man, who has been missing for nearly five years. Another tip involves a man who is on the FBI's ten most wanted list.
At first glance, the man doesn't look that suspicious — but to investigators in Southern Utah, he is a mystery they have been trying to solve after more than four years of cabin break-ins.
"We've received numerous phone calls this morning with a number of very, very interesting tips," said Det. Jody Edwards with the Iron County Sheriff's Office.
The man is wanted for questioning in dozens and dozens of burglaries. He seems to live in the summer cabins during the winter, and says thank you by stealing outdoor gear and leaving bullet holes in the walls. When spring arrives, he seems to camp in the trees until the snow starts to fly.
Could it be Jason Derek Brown, a fugitive wanted by the FBI, who has Utah ties? Or Ryan Jensen, who disappeared from Tooele County in the spring of 2007, just months before the burglaries began?
Iron County investigators confirm they have at least eight serious candidates they are considering.
"I think because of the clarity of the photographs and cooperation with the media, we're getting really sharp leads on this," Edwards said. "The people who are recognizing the man in this photograph, they are doing a really good job. The tips we've got are really good, near perfect matches."
Police released a composite sketch in November, and it generated several leads, too. But as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words — and in this case, a very good picture may be the key to finally solving the mystery.
"We've got a real opportunity here, now, because we've got a name with a face in the tips we've generated just this morning," Edwards said. "We might be able to obtain a fingerprint or DNA workup on the guy and know exactly who we are dealing with."
Again, the real fear for police is that a cabin owner will unknowingly find the man, and it could lead to a violent confrontation. Police are urging people to be very cautious and they are still welcoming any tips on who the mysterious mountain man could be.
Anyone with information about the man is asked to contact the investigations division at the Iron County Sheriff's Office at 435-867-7500 or submit their tip online.
Email: spenrod@ksl.com
