MILLCREEK, Utah – A car stolen in Cedar City was recovered after a suspect attempted to break into a Starbucks restaurant in Millcreek.
According to police documents, the investigation began around 8:20 p.m. when Unified Police officers were dispatched to the Starbucks coffee shop at 3898 South 900 East. Upon arrival, bystanders told officers that the suspect, Anthony Jesse Drage, 19, fled on foot down 3900 South, prompting both UPD and South Salt Lake Police to set up a perimeter and deploy a police dog.
While the search was underway, the arresting officer investigated the scene and found the driveway window broken. Nearby, he found the rock that was used. He then spotted a vehicle believed to be used by the suspect.
After dispatch checked the license plate, it was determined that the vehicle was registered to a Cedar City resident. Later that evening, Cedar City police informed the officer that the vehicle had been reported stolen just an hour before the incident. Due to the timing of the report, it had not even been entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
Shortly thereafter, South Salt Lake police arrested Drage with the help of a sniffer dog. He was then taken to St. Mark’s Hospital where he was treated for the dog bite. When officers tried to confirm Drage’s identity, he gave them the name “Joel Thompson” and various birth dates.
At the same time, police searched the stolen vehicle before towing it. They found two guns, a small amount of cannabis, and prescription drugs with Drage’s ID on them. After leaving St. Mark’s Hospital, he was taken to the Salt Lake County Jail.
Drage is currently being held without bail awaiting trial.
