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LEHI — A suspected serial burglar, who also has criminal history in Wyoming and Texas, has been arrested and accused of breaking into 15 businesses in Lehi since February.
Iseli Palu Lotaki, 41, of American Fork, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Wednesday for investigation of 43 crimes, including 15 counts of burglary, 13 counts of criminal mischief, and 15 counts of theft.
According to a police affidavit, some of the businesses Lotaki has burglarized include:
- The Aubergine Kitchen, 3430 N. Ashton Blvd, on Feb. 20. Lotaki is accused of breaking a window, entering the restaurant, and stealing a cash register.
- Gerber Construction, 815 E. 675 South, on Feb. 24. Lotaki is accused of stealing tools and damaging a safe while attempting to open it.
- Tempanyaki restaurant, 72 N 850 East, on March 31. Lotaki is accused of stealing a safe and damaging a surveillance camera.
Police say Lotaki's typical crime includes entering a business by using an object — such as a cinderblock — to smash a window, then trying to disable security cameras once inside the business before stealing items, the affidavit states.
Other items Lotaki is accused of stealing include an electronic dart board, two large televisions, tools, cash registers and 39 pairs of Oakley sunglasses, according to the affidavit.
Detectives reported using shoe prints, surveillance video and DNA collected off a water bottle that Lotaki drank from to connect him to all the burglaries.
Lotaki has "a significant criminal history," according to the affidavit, including seven evading, drug and burglary charges in Texas; theft and burglary charges in Wyoming, and six felony convictions in Utah in the past 10 years. He is also a "suspect in numerous recent burglaries around Utah County."
