Masked teens attempt home invasion, Tooele family says

TOOELE — A Tooele family is speaking out after a group of masked intruders tried to break into their home late Friday night while their two young children slept upstairs.

Carlee and Jeff Pratt said they were settling in for bed, around 10:58 p.m., when two vehicles pulled up outside their home near Aparicio Drive and North Berra Boulevard. Jeff Pratt, who was in the living room at the time, said he first heard loud voices, then noticed six to eight individuals — believed to be a mix of male and female teenagers — moving between the cars.

Moments later, he said, three of them, all males, put on ski masks and rushed the front door.

"They were determined to get the door open," Jeff Pratt said. "My first thought was, 'There are kids upstairs sleeping. What is going to happen if this door is open?'"

Pratt said he braced himself against the door as the intruders began kicking it with force.

"They just started kicking — the trim was coming off, the strike plate went flying … the door was opening," he said.

Upstairs, Carlee Pratt said she also heard the voices shortly before the attack.

As the situation escalated, Pratt yelled for his wife to grab a gun. He believes that scared the group away, and they fled before making a full entry into the home.

"I wish I knew why they chose us," he said, explaining that they have no idea who the burglars are or why they would single out their home.

Pratt suffered an injury to his hand but said their children slept through the incident and were not physically harmed, something they are deeply grateful for. Still, the emotional impact lingers.

"The last thing I want is for them to feel unsafe at home," Carlee Pratt said. "If they felt even a fraction of what I feel at night, I couldn't live with myself."

Over the weekend, Jeff Pratt canvassed the neighborhood and collected Ring camera footage from nearby homes. He believes at least one of the vehicles involved was captured on video. The vehicles are described as a dark colored SUV or crossover, and a tan or gold sedan that closely resembles a Kia Optima. The group is believed to include six to eight individuals, both male and female.

Tooele police confirm it is an active investigation, but have not yet released additional details.

The Pratts said they are determined to see those responsible held accountable — and hope sharing the story will help prevent similar incidents.

"We will not back down," Carlee Pratt said. "We are not afraid when it comes to protecting our children."

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Tooele Police Department.

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