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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS -- A chilling 911 tape indicates a Cottonwood Heights couple faced some terrifying moments as they hid in their closet from a man burglarizing their home.
During parts of the couple's conversation with an emergency dispatcher, they couldn't talk because the man was so close he might have heard them and discovered their location.
The home invasion burglary happened early last Tuesday morning at the Shadow Ridge Condominium complex near 7200 South and 1200 East. Police say the couple was awakened by Wilfred Vigil, 27, breaking the lock on the sliding glass door on the back deck of the second floor condo. Vigil then slid the door off its hinge.
When the couple went to investigate the noise, they saw Vigil roaming around their house. They locked themselves in their bedroom, hid in the closet and called 911.
Dispatcher: "What's the address of your emergency?"
Victim: "Shadow Ridge Drive."
Dispatcher: "Somebody is in your home?"
Victim: "Yes."
Dispatcher: "Do they have any weapons?"
Victim: "I have no idea."
The couple continued to hide in the closet as the dispatcher sent police to their condo. Before officers arrived, Vigil made his way to the bedroom and tried to get in.
Victim: "They're trying to get in."
Dispatcher: "Is your door locked? Your bedroom door is locked?"
Victim: "Yeah."
Minutes later, Cottonwood Heights police officers arrived at the condo, entered the home, and arrest Vigil for burglary and intoxication.
Police discovered Vigil lives in the complex and has a criminal history; on Dec. 1 he was charged with robbery and aggravated assault after allegedly robbing a cab driver at knife-point. According to court records, he was convicted of DUI in 2010 and simple assault in 2009.
Police say Vigil was in the couple's condo for about three minutes before they arrived.
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Written with contributions from Shara Park and Andrew Adams.
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