COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS -- Cottonwood Heights Police caught a seasoned car thief Sunday while he attempting to steal his second vehicle of the day, officials said Monday.
A tip led to the arrest of 25-year-old Corey Trujillo. The suspect, police say, is responsible for more than 40 vehicle burglaries or car thefts across three counties.
Just after 3 p.m. on Sunday, Cottonwood Heights Police said, a vehicle was reported stolen from the Pinnacle Highland Apartments.
A few hours later a call came in reporting a suspicious vehicle in another apartment complex about a mile down the road.
When police arrived they found the stolen vehicle, property and Trujillo.
“They found other property inside the vehicle – this other property belonged to several other individuals, potential victims,” said Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Gary Young. “After they separated the information like school IDs, driver licenses, we have 41 potential victims.”
Trujillo also reportedly had an entire key ring of shaved keys, police said.
“Each manufacturer has a proprietary key,” Young said. “Sometimes suspects can get those keys -- they can shave them or shave little nubs and they can use those keys as bump keys. If they shove it in a lock enough times and turn it, it may open that particular car.”
Trujillo has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, vehicle theft and identity fraud.
