Estimated read time: 3-4 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
BOUNTIFUL — A picture may be worth a thousand words, but for Bountiful police it also provided invaluable evidence.
"The photo was priceless for us in identifying and proving the case," said Bountiful Police Lt. Dave Edwards.
Because of the quick fingers and steady aim of a Bountiful resident with a cellphone, police were able to arrest a man suspected of committing at least seven home burglaries Wednesday morning.
About 6:30 a.m., Bountiful resident James Welch was getting ready for work and opened his garage door while he placed some items in his car. He then went into his house to get a few more things and was surprised when he came back outside about 10 minutes later.
"I saw a guy bolt around the car and run across the driveway," he said.
Welch followed the man to the top of his driveway and grabbed his phone.
"I always have my cellphone on my side, I just grabbed it and opened it up and hit the phone function," he said.
Welch was only able to get one picture of the man who had just stolen his wallet, some cash and a knife that were inside the car.
But it was all police needed.
Welch downloaded the picture to his laptop, enhanced and cropped it, then sent to police a clear picture of a man wearing a red hat, red and white shoes, blue shorts and a striped tank top running away.
Edwards said the photograph was the best evidence detectives had for solving the case. Officers surrounded the area, and after about four hours an officer spotted the man about a half-mile away from Welch's home.
The photo was priceless for us in identifying and proving the case.
–Bountiful Police Lt. Dave Edwards
When they spotted him, Edwards said the man had tried to change his appearance.
"When we located the suspect, his hair was just torn up. It had obviously been cut by a knife and he tried to change his appearance," he said.
Arthur William Pigott, 21, who is listed in court records as homeless and previously from Lehi, allegedly tried to hide in a gully before being arrested. Edwards said Pigott was apparently trying to get back to a getaway car and a driver who was waiting but then left the area without him.
Detectives believe Pigott can be linked to at least seven burglaries from Wednesday morning. He was found carrying five knives and two cans of pepper spray when he was arrested. At some point during his alleged burglary spree, Pigott apparently cut his hand. Edwards said blood evidence was found in several of the burglarized vehicles.
He was arrested for investigation of drug possession. Evidence from the burglaries was being gathered to present to prosecutors for potential charges.
Court records show Pigott was charged in Salt Lake Justice Court in May with misdemeanor drug possession, and felony drug charges in 3rd District Court in November.
Pigott was convicted in October in Utah County's 4th District Court of attempted unlawful possession of a financial card. A warrant was issued in May after he failed to show up for a mandatory court appearance.
Another no-bail warrant was issued on Wednesday — the day Bountiful police arrested him — for failing to show up to another mandatory court hearing, according to court records.
Welch later posted his picture on several social media sites, including Facebook where it became an instant hit.
"I hope that this puts an end to his career for quite a while," he said.
