Man arrested for allegedly breaking into Salt Lake high school

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SALT LAKE CITY — A man with a lengthy criminal history who already has seven other criminal cases pending was arrested Friday and accused of breaking into West High School.

Vladimir Kurdukov Munson, 31, a transient, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and failing to stop for police.

Just before midnight, Salt Lake police were called to the high school, 241 N. 300 West, on a report of a burglary in progress.

On school security cameras, Munson was seen using a tool to pry a door open and enter the building, according to a police booking affidavit, and was then seen trying to pry open multiple doors inside the school.

"Ten doors inside the building were damaged when (he) attempted to pry them open. The approximately value of each door is $500 each," the affidavit states.

He was able to successfully pry open the door to the main office where he took about $340 in cash, three cellphones, a class ring and other various items, according to police.

Officers arrived at the school and spotted Munson running away from the building. They were able to chase him down and arrest him a short time later. Munson told police that he broke into the building "because he was cold," the affidavit says, and that "he attempted to pry open multiple doors to find money for a hotel room."

Munson's arrest came on the same day he was charged in 3rd District Court with burglary, theft and criminal mischief for allegedly breaking into a business down the street from the high school.

On Nov. 30, Munson broke into Wing Coop, 569 N. 300 West, by breaking in through the ceiling, according to charging documents. An iPad and a root beer mug were taken.

Munson currently has seven cases pending in state court dating back to 2019, including additional charges of burglary and theft for stealing copper wire from a construction site at Rice Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah, according to charging documents.