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SALT LAKE CITY -- Two fugitives accused of killing a Millard County sheriff's deputy were told to leave the area by officers who were looking for them but apparently didn't recognize them.
Roberto Roman and Ruben Chavez-Reyes are accused in the murder of Millard County sheriff's Deputy Josie Fox early in the morning of Jan. 5 near Delta.
Later that morning, police believed the two were hiding near 1000 West and 300 South in Salt Lake City and evacuated the neighborhood.
At one point, the wanted men were standing next to SWAT officers, who told the men to evacuate the neighborhood.
A woman who lives nearby, Shirley Cleverly, tells the Salt Lake Tribune the men had arrived at her home earlier that morning because they knew her sons. She says she didn't know they were fugitives and didn't realize they were at her home until police awoke her to evacuate the area that morning.
She says she stepped outside and saw the two men standing with three SWAT officers and one of her sons. One of the officers told the men to leave the area with the Cleverlys.
She says the fugitives acted "cool" throughout the ordeal and asked to be dropped off at North Temple and Redwood Road.
They were found the next day in a shed near Beaver and arrested.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank confirms the woman's account and wants to identify the officers who didn't recognize the wanted men, not to discipline them but just to talk. It's unknown which agency the officers were from.
In a statement Burbank said, "Obviously our information was correct that these murder suspects were in the area. How they got there, where they were while they were there, and who helped them are just a few questions in what is an ongoing homicide investigation."
Neighborhood still angry over police actions
The revelation that officers let an accused cop killer and his accomplice escape from a Salt Lake neighborhood is adding to neighbors' fury over protocol.
We can't be partners with them in fighting crime if they're not going to share information with us and they treat us like we're idiots.
–Community activist Michael Clara
For community activists in the area, the Cleverlys' story is a head-scratcher. Kirk Cleverly was trying to tell police Roberto Roman and his friend were in his house, but he was shouted back inside. Later, officers told the two suspects to evacuate.
Neighbor and community activist Michael Clara said, "We can't be partners with them in fighting crime if they're not going to share information with us and they treat us like we're idiots and we're not supposed to say or know anything."
Clara is already fired up about another home belonging to the Miramontes family getting hit with 10 canisters of tear gas. The family has been out of their house for 50 days now, with no help from the city. Clara says it will take them at least another month before they can move in. Clara says the city has still not responded to the claim the Miramontes' filed, although officials have 60 days to do so.
The police statement by Burbank further confounds residents and angers Clara. "Even today I don't understand the chief's statement that he released saying ‘We're still investigating how they got here," Clara said. "Well, don't you know all that? They got here in the Orange car, they were at the Cleverlys all morning and you guys let them go."
Clara said a meeting with Burbank was scheduled for Wednesday night at the Pioneer Police Precinct at 1040 W. 700 S. to discuss the situation.
"The idea was to have this meeting … to continue the healing process," Clara said. "I don't know if that's possible now because this just casts so much distrust on the police and their ability to function and do their jobs appropriately."
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
