Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Samantha Hayes reporting Long lines surrounded the South Jordan DMV, while the new office in Salt Lake is a closed crime scene.
"I just walked in, took a number, looked at the board, and walked back out," says Eric Neilson of Brighton.
Detectives are using surveillance tape to search for the brazen thieves who took two huge safes from the Department of Motor Vehicles office in South Salt Lake.
The surveillance system was brand new. At first investigators didn't think it was working, but as it turns out, they have usable footage of the break-in on Sunday.
While all this is going on, people who needed services had to go to South Jordan.
Upon entering the South Jordan DMV Monday afternoon, many folks take a look up, then grudgingly take a number.
The DMV is rarely a short stop to make, but the wait monday was especially long because the South Jordan office is doing the work of two.
Joseph Prater/West Valley: "Luckily we called first, because I just wanted to make sure I had all the right information. And he mentioned they were closed."
Closed because that South Salt Lake office was the target of an intricate and clever heist. Investigators say phone and power lines were cut before thieves entered the building through the ceiling.
They used a forklift and pickup truck stolen from a nearby business to lift and haul off two DMV safes, each about three by five feet and 1,500 pounds.
Darin Sweeten/South Salt Lake Police Department: "We not only have to look at suspects outside of the organization, but we have to look at potential suspects from either of these businesses."
So far, they got away with upwards of $100,000 and vehicle registration decals. Those might be sold on the streets.
Jodi Monaco/D.M.V.: "If there is a traffic stop made or we get information that someone is selling those, it's a second degree felony."
And the DMV already knows which ones are missing.
Jodi: "We have a tracking system in place. Each of those decals were numbered, so we can find out how many, if there were any, quite easily."
If you need services, the South Salt Lake office will be open Tuesday at 8:00. License renewals can be completed online.
