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MAPLETON — Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man they say burglarized two local businesses last week and is believed to be connected with similar burglaries in Colorado and Idaho.
Police posted a video on Facebook of a man sifting through a desk of one of the two businesses, which Mapleton Police Chief John Jackson said happened in the early hours of Wednesday and Thursday.
Jackson said the man forced his way into both unidentified businesses, but didn't take anything during one of the burglaries and about $20 was reported stolen in the other.
"We get concerned about employee records or any type of identity theft," he said. "I don't know if that was what he was looking for or not, but that's something we're concerned about."
Police initially believed the man seen in the video could be local, but quickly connected him to other crimes after reaching out to other police agencies in Colorado and Idaho. Jackson said the man was seen on video in a Colorado burglary case two weeks ago.
A similar-looking man is seen on video in a string of burglaries in Custer County, Idaho, according to a statement from the county's sheriff's office. Authorities there said the man broke into three businesses in Mackay, Idaho, and three more businesses near Challis, Idaho, taking an undisclosed amount of money.
The Custer County Sheriff's Office described the man as being in his 50s, 5-foot-11 and about 300 pounds. They added that he is balding and has some facial hair. The man was also caught on surveillance video leaving the Mapleton businesses in a dark-colored four-door sedan.
Anyone with information about the man is encouraged to call the Mapleton Police Department at 801-491-8048.
