Utah men now charged with 40 felonies in connection to massive church burglary spree

Aubree B. Jennings
·2 min read
7

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — New charges have emerged in connection to the September burglary spree of over 20 church buildings throughout Salt Lake and Utah counties.

According to documents released Wednesday, a third individual, Malachi Scott Guttierrez, 18, was charged with 13 felony charges related to the alleged burglaries. The other two suspects in this case were also charged in Salt Lake County in addition to the charges they face in Utah County.

MORE INFO: Men charged in Utah County in connection to a string of LDS church burglaries

Lee Pierce Baker, 20, and Daxton Layne Rushworth, 18, were previously charged in Utah County with 27 felonies related to burglary and property damage, along with six misdemeanors. They have since been charged in Salt Lake County with 12 additional counts of burglary and one count of felony property damage.

With these new charges, Baker and Rushworth are now facing 40 felonies connected to the church break-ins. Guttierrez has only been charged in Salt Lake County.

Police say the men targeted church buildings belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an attempt to steal valuable items inside.

Police said they did not find anything stolen in many of the buildings, however, in some cases tithing and donation slips were taken along with a safe, laptop, docking station and tablet.

Police now say 28 churches were impacted by the burglary spree. The majority of the break-ins took place in Lehi, Eagle Mountain and Herriman.

Twenty-two of the buildings’ addresses were released in court documents. Here is the list below:

  • 4338 East Inverness Lane

  • 3793 East Rose Hearty Lane

  • 87321 North Desert Canyon Road

  • 4588 North Eagle Mountain Boulevard

  • 7944 North Smith Ranch Road

  • 2011 East Oquirrh Ranch Parkway

  • 7746 North Sparrowhawk Way

  • 2977 East Saddle Rock Road

  • 4105 Smith Ranch Road

  • 8285 North Porter’s Crossing

  • 14172 South Emmeline Drive

  • 13381 South Pioneer Street

  • 6744 West Valynn Drive

  • 12737 South Pioneer Street

  • 6869 West Vista Springs Drive

  • 7079 West Rose Canyon Road

  • 14398 South Knapper Point Cove

  • 13122 South Herriman Rose Boulevard

  • 6980 West McCuiston Avenue

  • 13768 South Rose Canyon Road

  • 6593 West Herriman Boulevard

  • 12682 South Starlite Hill Lane

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