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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
WOODS CROSS — A father and son watching television together resulted in the son's arrest, at the father's urging.
Woods Cross Police Det. Adam Osoro said Jeremy Blair, 26, of Kaysville was arrested Friday and booked into the Davis County Jail for investigation of burglary and criminal mischief after turning himself in to authorities for his involvement in a computer store burglary on March 6.
Osoro said Blair and his father were in their living room watching the news Friday when a story on the burglary showed surveillance footage of two suspects. The father recognized his son as the burglar on the screen and, after some persuasion, drove Blair to the jail where he surrendered himself to authorities.
"This case is very unique for a father to recognize that his son has a problem," Osoro said. "It's a hard thing to to but I think ultimately it's the best thing for the son and I think the father sees that."
This case is very unique for a father to recognize that his son has a problem. It's a hard thing to to but I think ultimately it's the best thing for the son and I think the father sees that.
–- Adam Osoro
Osoro said officers responded to a burglary alarm at Starwest Computers at 1181 S Redwood Road just after midnight on March 6 and found that approximately $6,500 worth of computer equipment had been stolen as well as $2,500 worth of damage to the store's door and displays. Surveillance footage showed two Caucasian men committing the burglary and the vehicle they were driving, a dark Audi A4.
"The damage is just so much more than even what they steal," Josh Holley, owner of Starwest Computers, said. "It takes almost a full day to clean up after them."
The business has been the victim of a number of burglaries. Holley said this latest incident is the fourth burglary in three years, with two occurring in the last six months.
"It's extremely frustrating," he said. "Our insurance company dropped us at the end of the year."
Holly said that security measures were increased following the previous burglaries, including the installation of the security cameras that ultimately led to Blair's arrest.
The second man has not yet been identified and none of the stolen merchandise has been recovered, Osoro said. Police received several tips following the newscast and are following up on leads.
"The pictures of the second suspect aren't as good, but I think somebody out there knows who he is," Osoro said.
Osoro said Blair also had an unrelated outstanding warrant. Since his arrest he has not spoken with police officers.
Osoro said that Blair's father seemed surprised and disappointed by his son's actions. He said the father was adamant that Blair take responsibility for what he had done.
"He's a very responsible guy," Osoro said. "I think he's proud of his actions. I don't think he's proud of what his son has done."
Holly also expressed respect for the difficult but honest decision by the father.
"I think that's pretty awesome," he said. "Being a parent myself, that's what I would do."
Blair's family declined to comment.
Contributing: Sandra Yi
Email:benwood@desnews.com
