Thieves and scammers can come in many guises. That is evident from some recent incidents reported by the Summit County Sheriff.
The manager at a Kamas grocery store reported a theft on Thursday the 7th, at about noon, and isn’t the first time they’ve seen the suspect.
The manager reported that a male suspect grabbed several cosmetic items valued at about $80. He then tried to return the items to the customer service desk for cash, but since he didn’t have a receipt, he was turned down. However, he put the items in a grocery bag and walked out. Store employees didn’t realize they were stolen until they reviewed video surveillance later.
According to Sheriff’s Lt. Andrew Wright, the suspect had been in the store several weeks back, again trying to return items that were stolen. The man reportedly is cautious and doesn’t look into surveillance cameras. The report on the 7th said he was dressed in a green coat, khaki jeans, brown shoes and a green hat. Employees at the store have been told to notify the sheriff’s office if he returns.
A thief at a Tanger Outlet clothing store wasn’t so lucky. An employee at the store reported that on the night of the 7th, two Hispanic males, dressed in hoodies of a white and dark grey color, entered the store. One of the men filled a gym bag with merchandise and then bolted for the door.
Deputies were nearby and responded quickly. They followed the suspects to the northwest end of the mall. They found one suspect in an alleyway, covered in snow and cold. He admitted to the theft and showed them where the merchandise was stashed at the back of the stores. He took 13 pieces of clothing valued at over $900.
The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Max Reyes Guzman, of West Jordan, and he has two active state warrants out for him.
The other suspect wasn’t found. Guzman claimed that he met the other man, who said he was from California, at a TRAX station in Salt Lake, and the man, named Joe, suggested they go up to Park City.
Finally, a Basin resident reported on Friday the 8th that she had been scammed on the phone by a man claiming to represent the Social Security Administration. He told her that her Social Security number would be suspended because it was linked to two crimes in Texas—one involving drug trafficking, and the other, money laundering.
She was handed off to another supposed government agent, who said she had to change all her finances to digital currency. She was told to buy Google Play cards to the tune of about $2,600 and she supplied the suspects with the card numbers. Later, she talked to an attorney at her work, who referred her to the Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Wright said they’ve seen numerous cases like this.
“People just have to really understand that the government, whether it’s a police officer, a representative from any federal government agency they are not ever going to ask for money over the phone. It’s just not the way the government operates. The government doesn’t threaten you with these types of claims. Stating that your social security number is going to be suspended or you’re going to be arrested. It’s an unfortunate situation where some people get intimidated by these threats that are made by these scammers.”
Lt. Wright also added that as a last resort, hang up the phone and call police.
