CEDAR CITY — Five people were arrested in Cedar City on Valentines Day after they allegedly stole more than $4,500 worth of merchandise from Home Depot.
According to a probable cause statement filed in support of one of the arrests, the group was spotted leaving the store at approximately 1 p.m. Monday.
“Officers were informed that the suspects had left the store with a lot of items,” the affidavit said, adding that the group was seen leaving the parking lot in a blue SUV.
During the ensuing search for the vehicle, a police officer reportedly spotted it pulling into a convenience store gas station near Exit 51 of Interstate 15.
Because the vehicle had initially pulled around to the back of the store, the officer was unable to see who got out, the statement added.
Later, after the vehicle had pulled up to the gas pump, the officer was able to make contact with the driver, later identified as Davonte Byers, 26.
Meanwhile the other four people who had reportedly been in the car had gone inside the store but were then seen running out of the building after allegedly leaving behind a “bag full of stuff.”
“I was informed by an employee of the gas station that four other suspects ran out the back of the store, jumped a fence and took off,” the arresting officer wrote.
Eventually, however, officers were able to round up and question all four individuals, including two that had been hiding in or near a camp trailer.
The other four individuals, who along with Devonte Byers were subsequently arrested and booked into jail, were identified as Jordan Byers, 23, Chad Kaaihue, 21, Sha Kaaihue, 23, and Kenvin Fauria, 23.
At least three of them were carrying Nevada identification, the charging documents state.
According to the affidavit, Chad Kaaihue was convicted of burglary in Nevada in 2019, while Jordan Byers was convicted of robbery in Nevada that same year. Additionally, Devonte Byers had a misdemeanor conviction of receiving or possessing stolen property. The other two individuals did not have criminal records, according to the affidavit.
The five suspects, who each face one count of theft, a third-degree felony, made their initial court appearance on Wednesday before 5th District Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen.
The five continue to be held without bail in Iron County Jail. Their next scheduled court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 22.
This report is based on statements from court documents and law enforcement officials and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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