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PAYSON — Sheriff's investigators have arrested a couple accused of stealing more than $28,000 worth of property from homes in Utah County, mostly from entering houses that were unlocked.
Jeffrey Daniels, 26, and Gina Burraston, 32, were booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of four counts each of burglary and theft following a "lengthy" investigation by Utah County Sheriff's detectives.
Ironically, Burraston was arrested the same day she was charged in 4th District Court Court in a similar case with felony burglary, felony theft, possession of burglary tools and misdemeanor traffic-related violations, from a case that originated from the Spanish Fork Police Department.
Last week, Daniels was charged in a separate case in 4th District Court with drug possession following an arrest by the Payson Police Department.
In the most recent case, investigators say the two would go to residences during the day, knock on doors and, if no one answered, check to see if the door was unlocked, according to the sheriff's office.
"There was no forced entry on the burglaries," said Utah County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Brower. "They would travel around and see who could be home. We believe they may have watched for residences that were unoccupied."
The arrests Thursday were only for cases in unincorporated Utah County. Brower said other agencies in the county were also giving Daniels and Burraston a strong look for burglaries in their area. The two are believed to have entered homes in Lake Shore, Benjamin, Payson and the Spanish Fork area.
Thursday, investigators served a search warrant at their home in Payson. Many stolen items were recovered. The duo is accused of stealing everything from jewelry, money, electronics, purses, coin collections and even meat.
"The meat was packaged by a specific company and was identified," Brower said.
The motive behind the burglary spree, which investigators believe lasted several months, was money. Some of the stolen items were kept and some were pawned off, he said.
A check of Utah State Court records shows Daniels has a long criminal history in the state.
In 2008 he was convicted of felony drug possession. He was sentenced to 60 days in the Utah County Jail and later another 180 days later after he violated his probation. He was sentenced to jail again after violating probation a second time and ordered to a drug treatment program, according to court records.
In violating his probation, Daniels was convicted in a separate case of assault by a prisoner and damaging a jail cell, according to court records.
Burraston was arrested for investigation of burglary and theft in 2006 in Payson. She eventually took a plea in abeyance and had the charges dismissed after completing drug court, according to court records.
Brower said the case was a good reminder for all residents to lock their doors.
Email:preavy@ksl.com
