UTAH COUNTY, Utah, March 22, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Two Salt Lake County men have been booked into the Utah County Jail, each on more than two dozen charges related to vehicle burglaries and theft of financial cards, among other things.
“Three firearms, three credit cards, CDs, and cash stolen in string of 19 auto burglaries in Eagle Mountain,” Sgt. Spencer Cannon, Utah County Sheriff’s Office, said in a tweet.
“All cars were unlocked. Two suspects have been arrested and have confessed to their involvement in these crimes.”
Cody Byron Jolley, 26, of Kearns, was booked on suspicion of:
- Three counts of theft of a firearm or operable vehicle, a second-degree felony
- Theft of item with value exceeding $1,500 but less than $5,000, a third-degree felony
- Nineteen counts of burglary of a vehicle, one a third-degree felony and 18 a class-A misdemeanor
- Three counts of unlawful use of a financial transaction card, a third-degree felony
- Driving with a measurable amount of a controlled substance, a class-B misdemeanor
- Use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a class-B misdemeanor
- Driving on a denied license, a class-C misdemeanor
John Landon Walker, 24, of Riverton, was booked on suspicion of:
- Three counts of theft of a firearm or operable vehicle, a second-degree felony
- Theft of item with value exceeding $1,500 but less than $5,000, a third-degree felony
- Seventeen counts of burglary of a vehicle, a class-A misdemeanor
- Unlawful acquisition/possession/transfer of a financial card, a third-degree felony
- Possession of a controlled substance, marijuana/spice, a class-A misdemeanor
- Two counts of possession of a controlled substance, schedule 1 or 2, a class-A misdemeanor
- Use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a class-B misdemeanor
Jolley’s bail total is set at $25,000. Walker’s is set at $35,000.
According to a probable cause statement, deputies stopped a suspect vehicle in the early hours of Friday after noticing the driver and passenger matched the description of suspects in burglaries associated with the suspect vehicle.
“As deputies were investigating the incident, I began speaking to passenger John ‘Landon’ Walker, a probable cause statement says.
“Walker stated he was involved in the vehicle burglaries and assisted the driver in stealing several items. During our conversation, Walker began cleaning his glasses exposing drug paraphernalia in his possession. The drug paraphernalia held heroin (field tested positive). Walker was arrested.
“Walker then admitted he was in possession of more illegal items. Walker was found to be in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The methamphetamine was field tested and showed positive. During this incident, Walker was found to be in possession of 3 financial transaction cards that did not belong to him.”
The cards had been reported stolen in a vehicle burglary the previous night, the statement says. At the Utah County Jail, Walker was asked to submit to a chemical test, “and showed positive for amphetamines, methamphetamines and opiates,” the statement says.
In a follow-up interview, Landon advised he and his wife were struggling, and he started breaking into the vehicles in order to get money to buy food and gas,” the statement said.
“Landon admitted to entering somewhere between five and 10 vehicles. Landon was able to describe multiple items reported missing including two firearms, a rifle and a handgun. Landon reported the firearms were sold by Cody and he did not know who they were sold to … Landon also admitted to using a victim’s credit card at Smiths in Murray as well as a gas station where he bought something to drink and something to eat.”
Jolley, who was driving the vehicle when it was stopped, was also recorded, the statement says. After being read his Miranda rights, he agreed to be interviewed, the probable cause statement says.
“Cody reported he knows Landon and Meagan are struggling right now and he would do anything he could to help them out. Cody stated the vehicle burglaries were committed in order to get money for Landon and Meagan. Cody reported the idea to commit the burglaries was a mutual idea and they would go out together walking down opposite sides of the street checking car door handles.”
“Cody stated Landon took the firearms, but told Landon he knew someone who would buy the firearms. Two firearms were taken from one victim’s vehicle and a third was taken from a separate victim’s vehicle.”
A known drug dealer in Salt Lake City “purchased a rifle for $140 and a pistol for $100 from Cody and Landon,” the men said.
“While interviewing Cody, he also admitted to using some of the stolen credit cards to purchase a Playstation and games at Walmart, as well as clothing items.”
Jolley faced additional felony charges due to his criminal history, the statement said.
