Estimated read time: 2-3 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
BRIGHAM CITY -- Police arrested a Brigham City man accused of tying up a 14-year-old girl with zip ties, robbing her home and taking off with the family's SUV.
Though the girl wasn't hurt, she was badly shaken. Police say what's most frightening about the crime is that it appeared to be random.
Police say 37-year-old Daniel Cruz walked up and down the streets of Mantua looking for an opportunity Saturday afternoon. He first stopped at a home on Meadow Road, where he asked to use the phone -- claiming his car had broken down.
He forced her into a back bedroom, pushed her down on the bed, tied her hands and feet with zip ties and told her he'd shoot her if she made any noise.
–Chief Jim Jones.
Police say for some reason, he passed on that first house and continued walking. Cruz saw a family leaving their home to go on a walk. He tried the front door but found it locked, so police say he went around to the sliding glass door at the back of the house -- which was unlocked -- and walked inside.
That's when he found the 14-year-old girl.
"He forced her into a back bedroom, pushed her down on the bed, tied her hands and feet with zip ties and told her he'd shoot her if she made any noise," said Mantua police Chief Jim Jones.
Police say the girl followed orders while Cruz ransacked the bedroom.
The family came home a short time later. The mother found Cruz with a gun and ran outside to call police.
Officers say Cruz ran to the garage and jumped in the family car. He led police on a short chase that reached speeds of 100 miles per hour before dumping the car and taking off on foot. Officers quickly caught up with him and took him into custody.
"This was a bad guy and he's now off the streets and we won't have to worry about him for a good while," Jones said.
Jones says Cruz was looking for an opportunity.
"This bad guy just walked up and down the street to find the most opportune residence and proceeded to commit a violent crime and that's the scary part," he said. "That goes to show nobody's house is secure and safe and that we have people like this."
Jones says in a small town, there's a level of trust that is now somewhat shaken.
"There are about 300 homes in Mantua," he said. "About 299 of them have their doors unlocked most of the time."
Cruz was booked into the Box Elder County Jail Saturday on suspicion of aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, evading and car theft.
E-mail: aforester@ksl.com
