Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man with an extensive history of theft and burglary has been arrested in connection with a break-in at an office belonging to the Utah Attorney General's Office at the Heber M. Wells Building.
Anthony Lee Jack, 44, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Wednesday for investigation of burglary, having burglary tools, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and failing to disclose his identity to police.
Jack, whose criminal history in Utah goes back to at least 1997, according to court records, is believed to have broken into the Heber M. Wells building, 160 E. 300 South, Friday night, as well as a downtown law office Saturday morning.
Jack was arrested after allegedly breaking into a law office at 50 E. South Temple, about 10:30 a.m. He was being escorted out of the building by security when an employee arrived at his office and discovered that it had been burglarized, according to a police booking affidavit.
"The victim stated that he had gone into his office building this morning and arrived as security was coming to talk to someone that wasn't supposed to be inside the building. The victim stated that his belongings in his office had been gone through and a bottle of cologne was missing. Security stated that they were unsure how (Jack) got in the building but that you have to have a key card," the affidavit states.
The victim and security personnel followed Jack down the street, while calling police. When officers took him into custody, they searched Jack's two backpacks and found drugs, drug paraphernalia, several security key cards, a small hammer, pliers, keys, a flashlight, a bent coat hanger and the bottle of cologne taken from the office, as well as a clock with the victim's name on it, according to the affidavit.
The second burglary was discovered Monday morning when workers arrived at the Heber M. Wells building. After collecting evidence from that scene, detectives were able to link Jack to that burglary, as well, according to Salt Lake police. Following the discovery of the burglary, Gov. Spencer Cox called on security plans at all state agencies to be reviewed.
At the time of his arrest, Jack told an officer "that he has done this before and when he gets out of jail, he will do it again."
Salt Lake police noted that Jack "has since been released from custody on pretrial supervision."
