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SALT LAKE CITY — With a decade of service fighting on the front lines, Marine veteran Kurt Harris was stationed all over the world.
“Dominican Republic, Africa, Ethiopia, Panama, Peru, Kuwait and Iraq,” said Harris.
About six months ago, Harris said he met a man who goes by the name of Michael Manning at a gym in downtown Salt Lake City.
“We became friends on the shared bond of being in the military together,” Harris said.
So this past week when his fellow "Marine" vet needed a place to stay, Harris opened his home without hesitation.
“I said, ‘Sure, my couch is open. You can crash there as long as you need,’” Harris said.
But he quickly discovered Manning had other plans.
“I went to go get my car and it wasn't there,” Harris said.
After returning from a work trip, Harris discovered that his car and laptop were stolen. But worst of all, his military uniform and medals were stolen.
“I opened up my Tupperware container and the first thing I saw that was missing was my dress blues that you get when you graduate from boot camp, and on those I had all my medals,” Harris said.
His awards, honors and accolades were all missing.
“When those were gone, it just felt like the last decade was just robbed just right out from under me,” Harris said.
After being robbed, Harris took to Facebook. That's when the messages started rolling in. Harris found out he apparently wasn't the only one duped by dishonor.
Harris wants “Michael Manning” brought to justice.
“I really hope the cops find him before the thousands of angry veterans in Utah do, for his sake, because it wouldn't be a good thing for him,” Harris said.
Salt Lake City Police are investigating and have an attempt to locate the individual in other jurisdictions. If you have any information about the individual, contact SLCPD at 801-799-3000.
Contributing: Xoel Cardenas
