Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
FISH LAKE — The elusive mountain man wanted by police in Iron County has continued to wander and now he's further north now in Sevier County. Troy Knapp is wanted for dozens of cabin burglaries in recent years in Southern Utah, where he would eat food, drink beer and steal valuables, including weapons.
The Sevier County Sheriff now believes that Knapp has been in his county all summer, even as early as Memorial Day weekend. He's confirmed this through matching Knapp's fingerprints to several cabin break-ins. Knapp has even left notes behind in the cabins, saying 'thanks for the hospitality,' or 'get off my mountain.'
Knapp has even left notes behind in the cabins, saying 'thanks for the hospitality,' or 'get off my mountain.'
Knapp is believed to be moving on foot, still armed with weapons and was in the Fish Lake area as recently as two weeks ago. Knapp's rampage has caused fear for cabin owners wondering if they'd be his next victim.
When Steven Staheli and his family want to get away, they go to their cabin in Fish Lake. This time of year, people are enjoying the fall colors, but the talk around Fish Lake has been about the mysterious burglar.
"We go down there several times a year," Staheli said. "Most weekends someone from the family is there. We've talked a bit about the concern."
For the past few years, Knapp has survived year round in the backcountry of Iron and Kane Counties, by breaking into cabin after cabin, looking for food and supplies. He caches supplies and moves from campsite to campsite.
A string of breakins at isolated cabins in the Seven Mile and UM area a few miles north of Fish Lake made it clear that Knapp has found a new place to call home.
While hunting season is here, the Sheriff is asking anyone who sees Knapp or finds what could be a cache of his supplies to mark the location with a GPS and to report it. They are also warning people not to approach Knapp as there is a concern that he is armed and dangerous.
