South Salt Lake woman uses flag pole to fend off burglar

SOUTH SALT LAKE — Police say a South Salt Lake woman used a flag pole to fend off a burglar that broke into her home on Monday morning.

About 8:45 a.m. Monday, a man, later identified as 42-year-old Justin Scott Smith, walked through the front gate of a home near 900 W. 3300 South in South Salt Lake, according to a jail report.

One of the homeowners came outside and told Smith to get off the property, the report states. Smith grabbed the man, pushed him to the ground, and continued assaulting him, the report alleges.

Another homeowner then came outside, but Smith allegedly grabbed a glass candle and threw it at her, according to the report.

Both of the homeowners were able to get inside, but Smith kicked in the door and was able to get inside, according to the report. Smith allegedly then continued assaulting the female homeowner, grabbing her by the throat, the report states.

At some point during the altercation, the woman was able to get a flag pole, with a United States flag attached, using it to hit Smith and defend herself and her family members, according to a Facebook post from South Salt Lake police.

Smith then went to the bedroom of the home and laid down on the bed until police officers arrived and arrested him. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and misdemeanor counts of assault and criminal mischief, according to the jail report.

The male homeowner suffered injuries to his hand, leg and foot, according to the report. The woman suffered a throat injury.

The woman was concerned about desecrating the flag because the flag pole broke during the altercation and the flag hit the ground, police said.

Officers collected money to replace the woman’s flag and pole.

Related topics