FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 29, 2025

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SLCPD Arrest Suspect Twice in 24 Hours Accused of Causing Thousands of Dollars in Damages to TRAX Stations

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s (SLCPD) Central Patrol Division have arrested a man twice within a 24-hour period for allegedly damaging ticket machines at two separate TRAX stations, causing thousands of dollars in damages.

The suspect in this case is identified as 66-year-old Wilbert Fike.

This investigation started at approximately 3:49 a.m. when SLCPD officers responded to a report of vandalism in progress at 55 South Main Street.

When officers got on scene, they saw Fike actively striking the screen of a TRAX station machine with a rock.

Fike is accused of damaging four machines at the station. The estimated cost of damages totaled approximately $2,000. Officers booked Fike into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail accused of criminal mischief.

Less than 24 hours later, on January 29, 2025, at approximately 1:19 a.m., SLCPD officers responded to another report of vandalism at a different TRAX station—this time located at 450 South Main Street.

Officers found a person, later identified as Fike, allegedly damaging a separate ticket vending machine.

Fike had been released from jail.

The estimated damages exceeded $5,000.

Due to the nature of the destruction and its impact on transit operations, Fike was arrested and booked on charges of criminal mischief and interfering with critical infrastructure.

While being driven to jail, Fike allegedly made statements regarding his court appearance.

Due to the nature of the allegations and their impact, officers requested continued detention.

Fike is now being held in jail without bail.

Two photos of the damage are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

This case will be referred to the Utah Transit Authority Police Department (UTAPD) for investigative follow up.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

Photo:  A Utah Transit Authority ticket vending machine damaged as the result of alleged criminal mischief (Salt Lake City Police photo – January 29, 2025).

Photo:  A Utah Transit Authority ticket vending machine damaged as the result of alleged criminal mischief (Salt Lake City Police photo – January 29, 2025).

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