Date: 2/21/12

RE: Press Release

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the Iron County Sheriff’s Office have been working very hard and diligently on identifying the male subject that has been burglarizing cabins and outbuildings in Kane, Garfield and Iron County over the last few years.  We are pleased to announce that we have now have positively identified this suspect.   This positive identification of this suspect is the result of good old fashion investigative work along with tips provided by the public.  We have followed up on hundreds of leads before finally identifying this suspect.  This suspect has been forensically linked to several cabin burglaries in Kane, Garfield and Iron Counties.  Currently there are active arrest warrants for the capture and arrest of this suspect.

We believe this suspect could still be in our area.  We ask the public to assist us in his safe capture by reporting any possible sightings or information that may be helpful to this investigation as soon as possible to our dispatch centers.  This suspect is known to be armed and could be possibly dangerous if cornered.  This investigation is evolving by the minute and we continue to work very hard to bring a safe end to this.  We would like to thank Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshalls for their assistance on this investigation.  We would also like to thank the public for their tips and patience with us while we worked to indentify this suspect.

Suspect Info:

Troy James Knapp

White Male

5’ 10” Hazel Eyes  Red or Auburn Hair

150 pounds (approximately)

DOB: 9/8/67  (44 years Old)

Tattoos:  Chest, Left Arm, Right Arm, Neck Area, Back of Left Hand

24 Hour Contact Numbers:

Kane County Sheriff’s Office                           435-644-2349

Iron County Sheriff’s Office                            435-867-7550

LOST SNOWMOBILE ENTHUSIASTS RESCUED

At approximately 5:40 PM on February 4th, deputies were dispatched to a search and rescue call. Deputies were advised by the Cedar City dispatch center of two male subjects that were riding snowmobiles when they became stuck in deep snow. One of the snowmobile enthusiasts was able to call 911 on his cell phone. He reported to the dispatch center that he and a male companion had both gotten stuck on their snowmobiles and now were separated from each other. They were uncertain of their location.

Sheriff Mark Gower was notified of the incident and mobilized the Iron County Search and Rescue. The dispatch center was able to obtain a global positioning coordinate from the 911 call and directed Iron County Search and Rescue members to the south side of the Cedar breaks area. Iron County Search and Rescue responded with snowmobiles and a snow Catapiller. The two lost a man were discovered and rescued around 9:00 PM that same evening.

Share ]]> http://www.ironcounty.net/departments/sheriff/index.php/fyi/lost-snowmobile-enthusiasts-rescued/feed/ 0 http://www.ironcounty.net/departments/sheriff/index.php/fyi/theft-of-metals-on-the-rise/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=theft-of-metals-on-the-rise http://www.ironcounty.net/departments/sheriff/index.php/fyi/theft-of-metals-on-the-rise/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:20:05 +0000 jedwards http://www.ironcounty.net/departments/sheriff/?p=851

THEFT OF METALS ON THE RISE!

 Over the past four months the Iron County Sheriff’s Office has seen a spike in the theft of recyclable metals. These thefts are attributed to the rise in prices for recyclable metals. If you own property that has any valuable scrap metal, be advised that you are a target for theft. This increase has resulted in a considerable amount of scrap metals being stolen from several locations throughout Iron County. It should be noted that all surrounding counties are experiencing a spike in similar activity.

 Property owners should be on the lookout for any suspicious vehicles on their property at any time of the day or night. It is very typical of the thieves in this regard to observe the property and put together a plan for the removal of the scrap metals. Pickup trucks pulling trailers are also a favorite of these thieves. Areas of metal storage should be kept as secure as possible and covered with adequate lighting. Any and all suspicious activity should be reported to the Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible. There are a few legitimate scrap metal collecting companies in Iron County, but they use commercial vehicles with company names clearly printed on the doors.

If you have any questions regarding this information please fill free to contact detective Sgt. Jody Edwards at 435-867-7512.

CEDAR CITY – Nearly 100 people jumped into icy water at the Cedar City Aquatic Center’s outdoor pool Saturday during the third annual Polar Plunge.

The purpose of the event is to raise money for the Utah Special Olympics. Bonita Hutchison, the development director for the Utah Special Olympics, estimated that the event brought in $5,000 this year.

Amy Bates, who serves as the head coach for one of Cedar City’s Special Olympics teams, expressed gratitude toward the participants and event organizers.

“Our team really appreciates the support,” Bates said.

Cpl. Shalon Shaver of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office jumped with her agency’s team. She raised $635, which was the most money raised by an individual this year. She also won the event’s costume contest in the category for women 17 and older, sporting a black and white tutu and a black T-shirt identifying her as a sheriff’s office employee.

“I’ve had a lot of support from the sheriff’s department,” she said, adding that families of department members also pitched in to help with fundraising, along with Sheriff Mark Gower and Jail Commander Bret Allred.

Shaver said Allred provided an incentive for department members to donate at least $2 to the Polar Plunge by offering them the chance to determine what kind of costume he would wear for the plunge. Everyone who contributed got together to decide on his attire for the event, which turned out to be an ensemble of flippers, goggles and floaties.

Terry Madlung, the owner of the Video Outlet in downtown Cedar City, said she jumped twice with her friend Tammy Melling.

Madlung said Melling approached her about participating in the event, and Madlung agreed to do it to support the Special Olympics.

“It’s a great thing,” Madlung said. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

By Cathy Wentz – Email: cwentz@thespectrum.com

Original article from The Spectrum.
Article Link: http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20120122/NEWS01/201220325/Polar-Plunge-raises-money-Special-Olympics

KANE COUNTY, Utah — A photograph, captured by a trail camera in Kane County, is giving new life to a frustrating investigation of the so-called Mountain Man. Police say they believe the man has been breaking into cabins in Iron, Kane and Garfield counties, living in them and stealing from the owners. Adding to their concern is their belief that the Mountain Man is armed and very dangerous.

After KSL broadcast the photo and the story, a flood of tips have come in to detectives in the Iron County Sheriff’s Office. One possible tip pointed to a Tooele County man, who has been missing for nearly five years. Another tip involves a man who is on the FBI’s ten most wanted list.

At first glance, the man doesn’t look that suspicious — but to investigators in Southern Utah, he is a mystery they have been trying to solve after more than four years of cabin break-ins.

“We’ve received numerous phone calls this morning with a number of very, very interesting tips,” said Det. Jody Edwards with the Iron County Sheriff’s Office.

The man is wanted for questioning in dozens and dozens of burglaries. He seems to live in the summer cabins during the winter, and says thank you by stealing outdoor gear and leaving bullet holes in the walls. When spring arrives, he seems to camp in the trees until the snow starts to fly.

Could it be Jason Derek Brown, a fugitive wanted by the FBI, who has Utah ties? Or Ryan Jensen, who disappeared from Tooele County in the spring of 2007, just months before the burglaries began?

Iron County investigators confirm they have at least eight serious candidates they are considering.

“I think because of the clarity of the photographs and cooperation with the media, we’re getting really sharp leads on this,” Edwards said. “The people who are recognizing the man in this photograph, they are doing a really good job. The tips we’ve got are really good, near perfect matches.”

Police released a composite sketch in November, and it generated several leads, too. But as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words — and in this case, a very good picture may be the key to finally solving the mystery.

“We’ve got a real opportunity here, now, because we’ve got a name with a face in the tips we’ve generated just this morning,” Edwards said. “We might be able to obtain a fingerprint or DNA workup on the guy and know exactly who we are dealing with.”

Again, the real fear for police is that a cabin owner will unknowingly find the man, and it could lead to a violent confrontation. Police are urging people to be very cautious and they are still welcoming any tips on who the mysterious mountain man could be.

Anyone with information about the man is asked to contact the investigations division at the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at 435-867-7500 or submit their tip online.

By Sam Penrod – Email: spenrod@ksl.com

Original article from KSL.
Article Link: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=18850551

WANTED:

Approximate Height: 5’ 11”– 6’ 3”
Approximate Weight: 180 – 195 LBS.
Hair: Blonde

This individual is wanted for questioning by the Iron County Sheriff’s Office in connection with cabin burglaries on Cedar Mountain. If you have any information concerning the man in these photographs please contact the iron County Sheriff’s office (investigations division) at 435-867-7500 or use our online tip form.

This Individual should be considered armed and dangerous!

The Cedar City Aquatic Center 2012 Polar Plunge will be held on Saturday, January 21 at 12:00 P.M.

This is a fundraising event to support athletes for the Special Olympics of Utah & the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Anyone is welcome to “Take the Plunge” or you can also help by sponsoring a team or participant.

To help support the Iron County Sheriff’s Office Team and make a donation, visit http://www.events.org/Sou01/sponsorshipteams.aspx?event=40571&team=443

For more information on what the Polar Plunge is all about see the Special Olympics Utah website, http://www.sout.org.

Holly Richardson was reported to the Iron County Sheriff’s Office as wanted by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for Interference with Custody, and Concealing a Child Contrary to Court Order.  Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance in locating RICHARDSON and her 5 year old daughter.

Deputies were contacted by the U.S. Marshals in Florida on 11/16/2011 at 1400 hrs regarding a child abduction out of Florida that was traced to Iron County.  Iron County Deputies then received reports and photos of the child and suspect, Holly Richardson. The 5 year old child was taken from her father, by her mother Holly and Grandmother Robin, on Oct 28th.  The mother is a known drug user and due to this, has put the child in harm’s way on several occasions. The child has a medical condition that causes seizures that could result in serious health problems for the child.

Iron County Deputies were able to locate Holly through a local investigation, and found that she was frequenting a pharmacy in the area. Deputies were then able to locate an address for the suspect, and after obtaining a warrant they entered the home in the morning hours of 12/14/2011 and removed the child without incident.

I would like to start off with a message about the upcoming holidays.  This is a time of year that we see an increase in alcohol related offences.  People are celebrating more and in turn this translates into more people driving under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicating substances.  The Iron County Sheriff’s Office asks that all people celebrating the holidays this year, or any other time to please have a designated driver to deliver you home after the party.   Every year during the holidays we always have the tragic story of someone driving intoxicated that either kills themselves or an innocent person or family because they made the poor choice of getting behind the wheel while in that condition.  So please, just think about the possible consequences before you drink and drive, it could save lives.

Also this time of year we see an increase in thefts.  When you are out and about shopping be sure to store your gifts and valuables in the trunk of your car or some other concealed area of your vehicle.  If your valuables are visible inside your vehicle you just set yourself up to be a victim of a crime.  It only takes a few seconds for a criminal to break a window on your vehicle and reach in to grab whatever they can see, and then flee the area. The chances are very slim they will ever be caught if there is not a witness to this crime.  Also make an effort to be home to accept delivery of packages being sent to your home.  If you are not home and the package is left at your door there is a chance a criminal will steal the package before you get home to retrieve it from your front porch.  Criminals will follow delivery trucks around and wait until the package is left on a porch and then wait to see if anybody is home to accept it.

The Iron County Sheriff’s Office would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.  Please feel free to contact us with any comments, concerns or any advice that will help us serve you better.

Respectfully,
Sheriff Mark O. Gower