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MIDVALE -- A burglar almost ran over Midvale police officers when he drove through a garage door to escape a crime scene Wednesday morning.
Police say 51-year-old Donald Joe Madrid likely knew the home near 8000 South and 130 East was vacant and intended to steal appliances from inside.
A neighbor called police around 1 a.m. after seeing a car back into the vacant home's garage. Officers arrived and found a man inside. They moved to the front door thinking that's where he would exit.
But then officers heard a car engine rev and tires squeal. The suspect drove out of the garage, taking the door with him. He almost hit officers in the process.
"Very bold, very bold," said Midvale police Sgt. Torin Chambers. "Very unreal; just a total surprise for officers to have that car coming through."
The man, later identified as Madrid, sped off, but not before he vandalized the inside of the home.
Police say he ripped cabinets from the wall and unscrewed pipes. Police believe that was an attempt to flood the home.
They say Madrid also broke a vase and carted off the oven appliance from the kitchen.
Shane Harr is the contractor who owns the property. He says he can't believe the extent of the damage.
"It's disappointing and sad," Harr said. "It's rough when you're trying to build a nice product in this economy."
As he sped away from the home, Madrid crashed his vehicle near a railroad tracks a couple of blocks away. He abandoned the car, but officers used the car's registration to identify Madrid and find his address.
Police went to Madrid's house in Sandy, found him inside and arrested him.
Harr says it's good to know Madrid has been caught but can't understand why he did so much damage to the house.
"That's the sad part, is the motivation. Why would someone do something like this?" Harr said.
Harr says he's still going through the house to see how much it will cost to repair the damages.
Madrid now faces several charges including assault on a police officer, vehicle burglary, and criminal trespassing.
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Story compiled with information from Anne Forester and Andrew Adams.
