SALT LAKE CITY -- A Utah veteran may finally get justice after a man claiming to be a fellow serviceman allegedly stole his military uniforms and medals last month.
“Just an expert con man,” said Marine Kurt Harris of Michael Manning, who he met at a Salt Lake City gym.
Aside from Harris’ military uniforms and medals, Manning is also accused of stealing Harris’ car and laptop.
Manning was arrested in Montana over the weekend.
“I received a phone call from the Missoula Police Department,” Harris said.
Harris learned that Manning had been staying with a girl in Montana that he had met online, but when his demeanor started changing, she Googled his name.
“One of the first things they saw was the Fox News report talking about who this guy actually was and that he`s on the run,” Harris said.
She immediately called police and they set up a sting and arrested Manning. They also found Harris’ car, filled with the items that meant the most.
“My medals are intact, my service record is there, thank goodness. Pictures of my buddies who aren’t with us anymore. The whole time I had spent in the Marine Corps has been restored," Harris said.
His service restored along with his faith in the power of technology.
“The technology that’s out there, it literally stopped a fugitive from harming anyone else,” Harris said.
Harris does plan on seeing Manning again at his court hearing and if he gets the chance, he'll say this: Good luck because he’s not going to see the outside world for a long time if I have anything to do with it.
Manning has been charged as a fugitive and made his first court appearance in Missoula, Mont. on Monday.
