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SALT LAKE CITY — Two burglars caught on home surveillance video this week made off with valuable electronics and jewelry. Now the homeowners are sharing the video with the hope someone will recognize the men.
The break-in happened in the middle of the afternoon on Thursday.
"I went through the back door and noticed things were just out of place,” homeowner Jeni Shirley said. “The mattress was moved off the bed; drawers were opened.”
The burglary was quickly verified by video from a security camera outside the Sugar House home.
“It’s a black Nissan Altima, we think,” Jeni said.
At 2:30 p.m., the video shows two men back their car into the carport. The passenger gets out first, followed by the driver. Four minutes later, the pair return to their car with their hands full.
“They just back up the driveway and stop right in front of the door,” Jeni said. “They took our really nice Canon camera … our iPad, all my jewelry.”
Because of the burglar’s demeanor on the video, the Jeni and her husband, Jacob Shirley, believe the men may have been casing their house and knew no one was home. The front door was locked, they said, but didn't stop the two from getting in.
“There was a shoe print on the door, so we think he just came up and kicked the door in or something,” Jeni said.
After the break-in, Jacob Shirley posted the surveillance video on his Facebook page. As of Saturday night, the video had been shared more than 400 times and had over 17,000 views.
“I couldn’t speak because I was so overwhelmed by how much support we got — and they weren’t even people we knew,” Jeni said.
That is what gives her and Jacob some hope their belongings will be found.
“I understand a lot of it is just stuff, but she had some heirlooms that were her grandma’s; and at minimum, I’d like to get those back,” Jacob said.
Anyone with information related to the burglary is asked to call Salt Lake City police at 801-799-3000.
