Man booked into Utah County Jail for 30th time

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PROVO — A Provo man was booked on charges of aggravated robbery just weeks after he was released from prison.

Even more astonishing, it's the 30th time he's been arrested.

Saul Cristobal's arrest on Saturday was frustrating for Provo Police who have arrested him time after time. He's in the Utah County Jail, held on suspicion of aggravated robbery involving a 17-year-old boy, just two months after being paroled from a six-year prison sentence.

"They jumped in (the victim's) car, assaulted him — and he sustained some injuries — and then took some money from him and left," said Lt. Brandon Post of the Provo Police Department.

Provo Police said the 17-year-old victim gave them a description of the car his attackers left in.

"Patrol officers were looking for the vehicle, ended up finding it a little later and found two of the suspects inside the vehicle, arrested them. And in the back seat of the vehicle, they found the car keys of the victim," Post said.

Cristobal has a history of gang ties and is no stranger to Provo Police.

"Officers recognized one of the individuals immediately," Post said. "His name is Saul Cristobal and he has a history of robbery, assaults and other violent offenses."

KSL has reported on Cristobal's arrests before he was sent to prison, in 2008 and 2009, on charges related to a gang fight involving knives and baseball bats.

When he was taken to jail Saturday, it was his 30th booking into the Utah County Jail, dating back to the time he was 18. He is now 28. Those 30 arrests occurred over just four years when he was not in prison.

Police hope this arrest will result in another prison sentence for Cristobal.

"Repeat offenders can be a concern for police and the community," said Post. "These individuals know how police operate and they can behave accordingly to try to overcome what we are doing. And they have already demonstrated what their attitude is in the community, so there is concern."

Jeff Buhman, Utah County attorney, said his office is reviewing charges in Cristobal's latest arrest and expects new file charges will be filed when he makes his first court appearance on Monday.