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CASTLE DALE — A former Emery County sheriff's deputy told investigators he broke into the sheriff's office evidence room at least five times to steal prescription drugs, according to jail records released Thursday.
Clayton Rue Bell, 29, resigned from the sheriff's office Oct. 1. He was arrested 15 days later after he was found inside the sheriff's office, jail records state.
"Clayton stated that he had used a card similar to a credit card to manipulate the lock on the front door of the sheriff's office on two occasions," Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Salas wrote in jail records obtained by KSL through a Government Records Access and Management Act request.
He stated he had taken no other items but needed the pills because he had formed an addiction.
–Sgt. Steve Salas' report
Bell told investigators he entered the building on Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, gained access to the evidence room and stole prescription drugs, Salas wrote.
"He stated he had taken no other items, but needed the pills because he had formed an addiction," the sergeant wrote.
Deputies who searched Bell after his arrest found 40 prescription pills in his pockets, jail records state.
Investigators later determined that Bell had entered the sheriff's evidence room "five to 10 times" without authorization during the two months prior to his resignation. A pair of binoculars that belong to the sheriff's office were also found during a search of Bell's pickup truck, Salas wrote.
"(Bell) stated that he had stolen the binoculars from the evidence room prior to resigning from the department," the sergeant wrote.
Bell was booked into the Emery County Jail for investigation of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility, burglary, theft and DUI. No formal charges have been filed against him.
Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk did not return calls seeking comment on Bell's arrest, but did issue a brief statement that said the State Bureau of Investigations is investigating the case.
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