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HIGHLAND — A man accused of stealing a skid-steer loader from a construction site and trying to sell it online has been arrested in Utah County.
Kaleb Ezekiel Guymon, 18, of Highland, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Monday for investigation of engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity and two counts of theft.
On Monday, Lone Peak police were made aware of a person attempting to sell a Caterpillar skid-steer front loader "that he drove off a construction site in the Three Falls" area in Alpine, according to a police booking affidavit.
Guymon listed the stolen machinery on KSL.com for $45,000, the affidavit states.
"The potential buyer reported this ad to the police. The potential buyer arranged to meet with the seller and notified police. Plain clothes officers with the Lone Peak Police Department arrived at the construction site where they met with Kaleb, who attempted to sell them the skid-steer," according to the affidavit.
While police questioned Guymon after his arrest, he also admitted to stealing "a remote control compactor from a different construction site in American Fork," in December, the affidavit states, and selling it for $25,000. He also is accused of using a family member's bank card to make unapproved purchases.
"With these actions, Kaleb is showing a pattern of unlawful activity," police said in the affidavit.
Last summer, in an unrelated case, two men were arrested in Salt Lake County for allegedly stealing multiple pieces of equipment from construction sites — including skid-steers — and selling the items at well below market value.
Glen Verrone, 48, was charged with a total of two counts of theft, two counts receiving or transferring stolen property, and theft by deception, all second-degree felonies; and attempted theft by deception, a third-degree felony, in three separate cases. He is scheduled to be back in court later this week.
Derek Johanson, 42, faces charges in eight separate cases in Salt Lake County alone for his role in stealing construction equipment. He was convicted in October in a resolution of six counts of theft by receiving stolen property, five counts of theft by deception, five counts of theft, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, attempted theft and three counts of forgery. Johanson was given a suspended prison sentence and placed on three years of probation.
