ST. GEORGE — After a string of burglaries, a suspect fled on foot near the Utah Tech University campus, resulting in a shelter-in-place order early Monday morning to protect students.
Officer Tiffany Mitchell with the St. George Police Department said officers were called to a business burglary on 3050 East where the glass on the front door had been shattered. While officers worked that scene, two other businesses’ alarms were activated, both reporting shattered windows.
The department put out an Attempt to Locate for the suspect’s van, which a county deputy then located. Mitchell said when the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver exited the van and fled on foot.
Interim Police Chief and Director of Public Safety for Utah Tech Ron Bridge said he was notified by one of his officers that an incident was taking place adjacent to campus.
“Due to the Clery Act and university and school safety, I felt that a precautionary shelter-in-place order was necessary to maintain the safety of the campus,” Bridge said.
The actual lockdown was brief — from 4:56-5:07 a.m., Bridge added.
Mitchell said responders set up containment and DPS Star 9 helicopter was launched.
“The suspect was located and arrested,” Mitchell said. “Thousands of dollars of stolen property located.”
This report is based on statements from police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Updated 2:50 p.m. May 1, 2023: Clarifies in headline and includes in body of story duration of lockdown.
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