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OGDEN — Ogden police arrested a woman they say was the ringleader of a group responsible for more than 100 car burglaries in Weber County. Investigators believe there may also be a connection to neighboring counties.
Ogden police started watching suspect Amanda Buck, 28, after stolen items were sold at pawn shops 50 times in the last month. Investigators identified Buck as one of the people selling the stolen goods, and detained her on a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon.
Officers found computer equipment, power tools, dozens of debit and credit cards and more in Buck's car.
Buck admitted to police she had been involved in more than 100 car burglaries in just the last two months to help support a drug habit.
Police say Buck is the leader of a group of burglars that has been operating in Ogden. One of the alleged victims is state Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden. Several items, including a laptop, stereo, backpack, and other items valued at more than $3,700 were stolen from the representative's truck. Some of those items have been recovered.
That never happens. Nobody ever gets their stuff back, especially not that quickly. So we're pretty blessed and lucky to have them.
–Ryan Wilcox
"That never happens," Wilcox said. "Nobody ever gets their stuff back, especially not that quickly. So we're pretty blessed and lucky to have them."
Wilcox praised Ogden Police for putting the clues together to get his stuff back.
Police say arresting Buck and those working with her is significant and they expect to see a drop in crime. They are still working to identify possible accomplices. Buck was booked into the Weber County Jail on six counts of vehicle burglary, six counts of felony theft, three counts of possession of burglary tools and a misdemeanor traffic violation.
Investigators, however, are now turning their attention to Davis County, where 17 car burglaries in West Point are still unsolved. Officers with the Davis County Sheriff's office believe Buck may have a connection to those burglaries.
"There are commonalities between these two events, and that's what we look for in law enforcement is commonalities and more of a connect the dots," said Sheriff Todd Richardson with the Davis County Sheriff's office.
Richardson said the commonalities included a similar car description of the burglar, with a woman at the scene.
Contributing: Andrew Adams
