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MORONI, Sanpete County — There's been a break in the case of several burglaries at a small town hardware store. The store had been broken into for a fourth time in just a matter of weeks— and thanks to the story on KSL-TV, police say it will be the last time by these crooks.
It is fair to say that people in Moroni are sleeping better now knowing this case has been solved. Police have released information about why these burglars kept coming back to this small hardware store, and how they were caught.
"It's good to have it over with," said Moroni Feed Hardware store manager Neil Johnson.
Johnson has been worrying for weeks about who kept breaking into this hardware store he manages in Moroni. But the last burglary two weeks ago, captured on surveillance video, was the beginning of the end for the bad guys.
As we learn more, we are finding out what it was all about, committing felonies to do some petty thefts, basically to get some quick money.
–store manager Neil Johnson
"As we learn more, we are finding out what it was all about, committing felonies to do some petty thefts, basically to get some quick money," Johnson said.
After KSL-TV broadcast the surveillance video of the burglars in action, detectives received numerous tips.
"Through researching the pawn shop database, we were able to discover items that were stolen from the hardware store, had been pawned," said Deputy Justin Aagard from the Sanpete County Sheriff's office.
As the investigation narrowed, Dillion Burgess called police and said he wanted to turn himself in, and explained why he kept coming from the Wasatch Front to steal from the same hardware store.
"He tells us that the remote area, not a lot of activity going on late at night and figured their chances of getting caught were pretty slim," Johnson said.
Police have now identified another man in the video as Peter Ramirez of West Valley City. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest on Thursday.
The third man wearing a mask remains unknown.
And in a town where this type of crime is rare, appreciation for the detectives whose efforts are bringing the burglars to justice.
"They worked hard on the case I know, did extra patrols in the area and I know what it took to catch the guys, it is nice to have one of them in custody and hopefully the other one soon," Johnson said.
Deputies are hoping it is just a matter of time until Peter Ramirez turns himself in, but if you know his whereabouts or if you recognize the masked man in this story, you can contact the Sanpete County sheriff's office.
