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PARK CITY — Three people were recently arrested in connection to two unrelated serial burglary cases, police said Thursday.
Braxton Sainsbury, 20, and Samantha Cowdell, 21, were arrested after multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to execute a search warrant Oct. 7 on a residence in Midvale, near 6800 South and 300 East, according to the Park City Police Department.
As a result of the search, “13 vehicle burglary cases, three vehicle theft cases, one residential burglary case and numerous fraudulent and identity-theft cases were cleared in Summit and Salt Lake Counties,” according to a statement from the Park City Police Department.
Electronics like smartphones and laptops, a firearm, credit cards, identification and other stolen items were seized during the search, police said. Investigators also said they found drugs.
This is not the first time Sainsbury and Cowdell have been arrested together in connection to a burglary. They were arrested on suspicion of car prowling in Salt Lake City during August. Police said they found the pair pretending to sleep in a yard after burglarizing several cars in The Avenues.
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Two car prowlers were arrested after a K-9 unit led officers to them Tuesday, police said.Sainsbury and Cowdell would steal a car and then use it to go car-prowling, according to Park City Police Lt. Darwin Little. He said much of the stolen property police recovered came from Park City and the Salt Lake Valley.
“They will find cars that have been unsecured, unlocked,” said Little. “They will search for any types of names or addresses or information that they could use for identity theft. They will open up accounts using that information. It’s real easy to leave mail in your car, or things like that — personal information in glove boxes.”
Charges against the pair are pending, according to Little. He said they were booked into the Summit County jail in connection to the burglaries.
Police are continuing to investigate whether additional people were affected by the burglaries.
As part of an unrelated investigation, a man tied to at least four vehicle burglary cases was arrested after police executed a search warrant on a residence Oct. 1, according to the Park City Police Department. Investigators said they recovered numerous stolen items from the residence, which is located in the 1400 block of Empire Avenue.
Police said they were able to seize stolen credit cards, electronics, identification and a firearm during the search, in addition to drugs and other items. Park City resident Cheyne Legris was booked into the Summit County jail and will be facing charges related to burglary, according to Little.
