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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Police arrested James Wayne Bodrero, 59, after he refused to come out of his house during a domestic violence investigation in Eagle Mountain on Saturday.
Police responded to a call from a medical provider at around 9:40 a.m. Saturday morning after a woman sought medical attention, Sgt. Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said. On Friday night, Cannon said Bodrero and his wife engaged in a dispute that turned into a physical altercation, though the details of the dispute were unclear.
“He used a broom handle, assaulted a couple of children, young children below the age of 10,” Cannon said. “He assaulted the wife with the broom handle as well.”
Cannon said the children suffered only minor injuries.
“(The wife’s injuries) were a little more significant, but not serious or life-threatening by any means,” Cannon said.
Deputies spoke with Bodrero on the phone in an attempt to get him to meet with police, but Bodrero refused, eventually hanging up the phone, Cannon said.
“That’s when we had the Utah County Metro SWAT Team and the Lehi Police SWAT team as well come out here,” Cannon said. “She had given us some information that caused us a little bit of concern, and that there were high-powered rifles, at least one, and at least one shotgun in the house. There may have been more than that.
“But those things, given the nature of his assault against the wife and the children, caused us some concern.”
Residents in the area were asked to stay indoors as a precautionary measure.
For her sake and for her kids' sake, there needs to be some protections in place that will provide sanctions if he thinks about doing something like this again.
–Sgt. Spencer Cannon, Utah County Sheriff's Office
After some discussion, Cannon said Bodrero surrendered and no one was injured beyond the Friday night altercation.
Police executed a search warrant on the house and seized several weapons, including grenades, guns, knives, a machete, bow and arrows.
“Whatever’s going on in his mind, he needs some help,” Cannon said. “But more important than that right now, the wife and children need protection.”
Cannon said a victim advocate will be working with the wife to let her know what options are available to her.
“She can stay in the house if she chooses. A lot of times victims in cases like this will leave and stay with other friends or family members,” Cannon said.
In any domestic violence arrest, the persone arrested must sign a no-contact order — essentially a short-term protective order — before the individual can leave the jail, Cannon said. The wife may choose to seek a protective order as well.
“We’re not saying that their relationship has to be over,” Cannon said. “But for her sake and for her kids’ sake, there needs to be some protections in place that will provide sanctions if he thinks about doing something like this again.”
Contributing: Shara Park
