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WEST BOUNTIFUL — In a closet inside Gary Turley's West Bountiful home, an empty spot now shows where his most valued material possession used to sit. It was a safe, containing nearly $200,000 in cash — he thought was safer there than in a bank.
"It was my life savings," Turley said. "I had stuff from my grandpa, who's dead now: his pocket watch, stuff like that. My Social Security cards, Visas, passports, birth certificates, checking — everything to do with my checking (was in the safe)."
How it disappeared is almost worse that losing it in the first place.
Back in August, Turley was celebrating his daughter's wedding. He didn't know his new son-in-law well, nor did he know about the plot the couple had hatched to clean him out — planning to steal the safe containing money he scrimped and saved 20 years for.
Police say a couple of days after the wedding, Turley's daughter and new son-in-law got cold feet.
"I think they realized the error of their ways. It was just a bad idea," said West Bountiful Police Chief Todd Hixson.
But the groom's brother, cousin, and friends were still up for it.
"It would be a horrible feeling just to have your home broken into, but to know that it was that close to home would be devastating," Hixson said.
Police say the four men — Wayne Clark, Steven Hogge, Anthony Welch and Joshua Watts — distributed the money four ways. They and their girlfriends and wives blew through almost all of it in a couple of days. Now, nine people have been charged in connection with the crime.
"I love her, and I don't understand why she would do this to a parent," Turley said. "I don't understand how another person can turn on you, against the whole family that loves you."
Turley had a gut feeling the couple were involved and called police. As far as getting any of the money back, police did recover about $30,000 that one of the suspects buried in his backyard, but the rest is probably gone for good.
"When you're a victim of a crime, it cuts you deep," Hixon said, "and it's something that everybody has to think about."
Police say even though Turley has lost all of his savings, he still went to the police department and pulled all of the Sub for Santa lists for needy children off of their tree and spent his Christmas money fulfilling their needs.
Turley also goes to court every week for the criminal proceedings against each suspect in the case.
For those who wish to contribute to Turley's cause, a donation account has been set up at Zions Bank. Anyone wishing to contribute may do so at any Zions Branch by asking for the Gary Turley Donation Account.*
Email: jstagg@ksl.com
*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
