Police arrest vehicle burglary suspect

By Rick Sherman

A Santaquin man is facing more than two dozen counts of Vehicle Burglary and other charges after being chased down by Price Police. According to a news release, police began receiving auto burglary complaints on the morning of December 27. Officers worked to gather forensic evidence and put together a general description of a male suspect, based on witness accounts of a suspicious person near the crime scenes.
Just before 10:00 p.m. that same day, Officer Drew Olson responded to an incident at the Roscrea Apartments involving two suspicious males with several duffel bags of property. Once on scene, Officer Olson noted one of the suspects matched the description of the auto burglary crime spree. He attempted to detain the suspect, but a scuffle ensued and the suspect escaped. The other male was cooperative with officers and identified the one who got away. The suspect who fled was found a short distance away, hiding under a vehicle.
He is identified as 31-year old Christopher Norman Broadhead. Evidence found on Broadhead’s person allegedly connected him to the string of auto burglaries. He was arrested and booked into jail for Burglary, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Mischief, 25 counts of Vehicle Burglary, Failure to Stop at the Command of a Peace Officer, Assault on a Peace Officer and Resisting Arrest.
Broadhead also had four active statewide warrants, two of which had no bail conditions. According to the news release, Broadhead acknowledged he had warrants, and told officers he believed he had a prison sentence hanging over his head once he was captured by authorities. He has a record of 21 previous arrests, mostly on theft and burglary offenses, with seven previous felony convictions.
The Price City Police Department advises citizens to always lock vehicles, even when parked in your own driveway or garage. Do not leave valuable items, wallets, purses or money in vehicles, which make an easy target for career criminals.