PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://slcpd.com/mediarequest/

SLCPD Arrest Burglary Suspect in Sugar House Neighborhood, Crime Tips Provided

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is providing community members with crime prevention tips after arresting a 28-year-old woman who is accused of breaking into three homes in the Sugar House neighborhood.

The motive to these cases remains unknown.

Year-to-date as of February 29, 2024, residential burglaries in Salt Lake City have dropped nearly 4% when compared to the same period in 2023.

Generally, residential burglaries are often crimes of opportunity. Community members are encouraged to control access to their homes, increase visibility, stay consistent with timely reporting of suspicious behavior, and maintain their property to help lessen the chances of becoming a victim.

Prevention tips include:

·       Never leave a window or door (including garage doors) open and unattended.

·       Ensure all windows and doors are closed and locked when not in use.

·       Use strong door locks, including deadbolts.

·       Properly anchor the door’s strike plate.

·       Increase lighting around your home to include motion activated and/or solar lighting.

·       Consider installing an alarm system with cameras.

·       Improve landscaping around your home to increase your visibility from inside your home and to lessen hiding places for criminals.

·       Remove items of interest, which may include bikes, cars, watercraft, utility vehicles, car parts, tools, toys, and electronics.

·       Use light timers throughout your house on a random schedule to make it appear as if your home is occupied.

·       Never use a hide-away key unless it is in a metal lock and properly hidden.

·       Report suspicious activity immediately by calling 9-1-1.

This investigation started at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024, when SLC911 received information about a residential burglary near 2500 South 1700 East. Officers responded and learned the suspect, Abigail Barney, unlawfully entered and remained inside a home.

When someone inside the home confronted Barney, she ran from the scene.

Officers responded, locked down the area, started searching for the suspect.

After an extensive search, patrol officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Liberty Patrol Division safely located Barney wearing clothing from one of the homes she is accused of burglarizing.

During the investigation, officers learned Barney also entered and unlawfully remained inside a home near 1600 East Parkway Avenue. In that case, the homeowner also confronted Barney and told her to leave. The homeowner told officers they had never seen or met Barney before.

Barney is also accused of unlawfully entering and remaining inside a home near 2500 South Imperial Street.

Officers searched the neighborhood and found evidence indicating Barney likely attempted to unlawfully enter several other homes in the neighborhood.

Officers booked Barney into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and booked her on three counts of burglary.

The burglary on Imperial Street is being investigated as domestic violence as Barney and the homeowner used to be cohabitants. Despite their former relationship, the victim told officers Barney had no privilege to enter or remain inside his residence.

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.

###