Police say 2 men charged after violently breaking into Salt Lake County home, demanding money
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Two men were charged Tuesday after allegedly breaking into a Salt Lake County home with a shotgun and machete.
Christopher Devon Jackson, 35, of South Salt Lake, was charged with burglary of a dwelling, a second-degree felony; purchase, transfer, possession, or use of a firearm by a restricted person, a second-degree felony; and possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.
Sim Elijah Vavao, 30, of Salt Lake City, was charged with burglary of a dwelling, a second-degree felony; and purchase, transfer, possession, or use of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a third-degree felony.
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In January 2021, officers with the Unified Police Department responded to reports of a Salt Lake County home burglary. When the officers arrived at the scene, they said they could see a man inside and demanded the two suspects come out with their hands up, charging documents state.
Officers identified the men as Jackson and Vavao and detained them.
The residents were reportedly home at the time of the burglary. They told police the day before Jackson had come over and accused one of them of taking his money, charging documents state. Jackson then allegedly threatened to light her on fire.
On the day of the incident, police said Jackson and Vavao knocked on the back door of the home. The residents allegedly shut the blinds and told the men to leave, but Jackson broke the window and the suspects walked inside, charging documents state.
Police said Jackson was carrying a shotgun and Vavao had a machete.
Jackson reportedly demanded the woman give him money. The woman said she told the men to leave, which is when officers arrived and detained the pair, charging documents state.
Upon talking to officers, Jackson allegedly said he came to the house with the intention of “getting his money back.”
Officers said they took possession of the weapons and the meth found with Jackson.
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