PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

April 4, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Coordinated Effort Results in 2 Arrests; Return of Stolen SUV, Stolen Packages

SALT LAKE CITY — Recently, several officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department coordinated their efforts to return a stolen SUV and several stolen packages after arresting a 28-year-old woman and 28-year-old man.

This investigation started on March 24, 2023, when SLC911 received information that someone stole a tan Chevrolet Suburban near 500 South 400 West.

On March 29, 2023, the owner of a different Chevrolet Suburban made an online report about someone stealing their SUV’s license plate near 600 West North Temple Street.

On March 31, 2023, a SLCPD patrol officer spotted the stolen tan Suburban near 300 East South Temple Street.

As patrol officers followed the Suburban, the driver, later identified as 28-year-old Tiffany Ponce, drove away in a reckless and evasive manner into the Avenues.

Patrol officers located the Suburban near 326 East 6^th Avenue and found Ponce and 28-year-old Justin Kennedy walking away from the stolen SUV.

Officers safely took Ponce and Kennedy into custody.

Officers found the license plate on the tan Suburban to be the same license plate reported stolen. Officers also found several stolen packages inside the SUV.

Additionally, officers found illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia on both Ponce and Kennedy.

Several patrol officers made a concerted effort over the next several days contacting the owners of the packages. Some of the recipients of the packages weren’t even aware their packages were missing or stolen. After contacting several potential victims, many of the packages were returned to the rightful owners.

An authorized person collected the stolen Suburban on behalf of the owner.

Officers booked Ponce into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of Felony Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Using Plates Belonging to Another Vehicle, Theft, Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Reckless Driving.

Officers booked Justin Kennedy into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on outstanding warrants and a single charge of Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance.

The investigation into who stole the packages remains under investigation.

The SLCPD is reminding community members of the following theft prevention tips provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service:

·       Promptly pickup mail

·       Ask about any overdue mail

·       Do not send cash

·       Arrange for pickup if you cannot be available

·       Consider using secure locations

·       Use delivery or signature confirmation

In January, the Salt Lake City Police Department reminded the community to “Know Your License Plate Number and Check it Often”.

The Salt Lake City Police Department has a dedicated unit strictly to auto theft. This unit is highly skilled and experienced. The detectives assigned to the SLCPD Auto Theft Unit not only follow up on cases by handling all auto theft investigations, but they deploy into the field to track down known vehicle theft offenders who have warrants or to look for, and recover, stolen vehicles. The SLCPD Auto Theft Unit periodically does multi-day operations, using various department resources and technology to assist in making arrests and recovering vehicles. These operations have an immediate and direct impact on other crimes being committed in Salt Lake City.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

A photo of the stolen license plate is being released. Media may use this photo with proper credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department. There are no available photos of the stolen packages at this time.

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