Suspect wanted in home burglary spotted, arrested 1 day later in St. George

Composite image with background stock photo; overlay stock image of St. George Police patrol units taken by Cody Blowers | St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Following a report of a home burglary on Friday, a man was arrested after being spotted the next day by an officer who recognized him from security footage.

2019 file photo for illustrative purposes only of Snow Canyon Parkway, St. George, Utah, Sept. 5, 2019 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday, an officer just starting his shift was heading to the St. George Police Department for a briefing when he noticed a man near 800 East and St. George Boulevard that matched the description of a suspect wanted in connection with a residential burglary reported the previous day.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in support of the arrest, the man was wearing the same clothing as the suspect in the photo, including a black fanny pack with a white logo.

The officer pulled over on 700 East and approached the suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Uriel Suastegui-Cuevas, who reportedly told the officer he had just left a motel on North 900 East. When asked for identification, the suspect told police he did not have any, adding he had a suspended license. He also gave officers a different name when asked to identify himself, the report states.

When backup arrived, the officer reviewed the alert and confirmed Cuevas matched the man suspected in the burglary, and he was placed under arrest.

During a search of his person, police say they recovered a pair of diamond stud earrings from one of his front pockets, which the officer noted was suspicious considering the suspect’s ears had no piercings.

Inside a bag the suspect was carrying police also found a piece of mail, gift card and receipt that belonged to the person who reported the residential burglary. Officers also recovered additional gift cards, Apple AirPods, jewelry and other items that matched the ones reportedly taken during the burglary.

Also inside the bag officers found an identification card that identified that man as Cuevas.

When asked about the stolen items, Cuevas said he found the bag in one of the trash cans at the motel where he was staying. And, according to the report, even after officers showed Cuevas the surveillance images captured during the break-in at the home that showed a man wearing a light-colored T-shirt, jeans, slippers and a fanny pack – the same clothes he was dressed in – Cuevas continued to maintain his innocence.

2018 File photo for illustrative purposes only of a mobile home park off of Dixie Downs Road, St. George, Utah, June 22, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

The items recovered from the suspect were reportedly taken during a residential burglary reported shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Friday, after a homeowner on Snow Canyon Parkway said he received an alarm activation.

The resident then asked one of his neighbors to check on the home, and when the neighbor called back and confirmed the break-in, the homeowner called police.

Officers arrived and found several windows that were left partially open and screens missing, as well as a back door also left open. Police say it appeared the master bedroom was the only room from which items were taken.

According to the report, the suspect reportedly took four large bags filled primarily with clothing, as was evidenced by several large sections in the closet that were left bare. The homeowner also told officers he was missing underwear, socks, shoes and hats, as well as approximately $300 in gift cards that were kept in the closet.

Security footage showed a man walking around the home and peering into several windows as he knocked on the door and rang the doorbell. Shortly thereafter, the suspect was seen exiting the home carrying three large duffle bags.

Approximately 30 minutes into the burglary investigation, an officer patrolling an area on North Dixie Downs Road located a black duffel bag on the cement wall that appeared to be abandoned. While searching the bag, the officer found a gym membership that identified the owner, the same man who reported the residential burglary.

Stock image of Purgatory Correctional Facility in Washington County, Utah | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

In the meantime, multiple still shots were captured and included in the case report during the investigation. These were the same photos that caught the officer’s attention and ultimately lead to the identification and arrest of Cuevas.

Cuevas was transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility and booked into jail on second-degree felony burglary of a dwelling, along with misdemeanor theft and false information charges.

Following the arrest, the suspect remains in custody on $10,000 bail at the writing of this report.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders 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.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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