Salt Lake woman accused of breaking into three Sugar House homes

Derick Fox
·2 min read
14

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – One woman was taken into custody on Monday morning after allegedly breaking into three different Sugar House homes and attempting to break into several more, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Abigail Barney, 28, was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on three counts of burglary.

Police said their investigation into Barney started when dispatch received a phone call about a home burglary near 2500 South and 1700 East. Barney had allegedly unlawfully entered the home and left only when the resident confronted her.

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Through their investigation, officers learned Barney had also unlawfully broken into two other homes in the area of 1600 East Parkway Avene and 2500 South Imperial Street. One homeowner allegedly told police they had never seen or met Barney before while the second knew her but said she did not have permission to be in the home.

Barney was later found by patrol officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department, allegedly wearing clothes from one of the homes she is accused of breaking into. Police said they also found evidence that she may have attempted to break into several other homes in the neighborhood.

A motive to the break-ins is currently unknown, according to detectives.

Salt Lake City Police Department said residential crimes are often a crime of opportunity. Community members are encouraged to lock their doors and increase visibility to lessen the chances of becoming a victim of property theft.

Some prevention tips include:

  • Never leave a window or door open and unattended.

  • Keep doors and windows locked when not in use.

  • Increase lighting around your home such as with motion-activated lighting.

  • Consider installing an alarm system.

  • Improve landscaping to increase visibility form inside the home and lessen hiding places.

  • Hide items of interest such as bikes, cars, watercraft, parts, tools, toys, etc.

  • Use light timers throughout house on a random schedule to make it appear as if someone is home.

  • Never use a hide-away key

SLCPD said year-to-date as of Feb. 29, residential burglaries have dropped by nearly 4% when compared to the same period in 2023.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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