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PROVO — A man allegedly involved in five business burglaries in the last month was arrested early Wednesday morning.
At 2:50 a.m., an individual saw the man, later identified as Thomas Laird, 18, smash the glass door of La Dolce Vita at 61 N. 100 East and enter the business, according to Lt. Brandon Post with the Provo Police Department.
Laird fled before police arrived at the business, but officers caught up with him 15 minutes later at 300 S. 100 West, Post said.
After further investigation, officers believe Laird has been involved in five business burglaries dating from Dec. 20. Detectives recovered multiple stolen items from him, including cash, eight game consoles, two laptops and two tablets, Post said.
All recovered property has been returned to the rightful owners, Post said.
Laird was booked into the Utah County Jail in connection with five counts of burglary and one count of possession of burglary tools, Post said.
About 12 hours prior to Laird robbing La Dolce Vita, the restaurant's electrical sign caught on fire, according to Dean York with the Provo Fire Department.
The fire was quickly put out, and there was minor damage to the exterior, York said.
It is unclear if the two incidents are related. The investigation is still ongoing.
