PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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SLCPD Auto Theft Detectives Conduct Operation in Rose Park Targeting Car Thieves

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) announced the results of a proactive operation conducted in the Rose Park neighborhood to address an increase in stolen Kia and Hyundai cars.

The operation, conducted Saturday, December 21, 2024, included detectives from the SLCPD’s Auto Theft Unit, Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), officers with the K9 Squad, and patrol officers from the Pioneer Patrol Division.

Additionally, Utah’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) provided aerial support to enhance capabilities during the operation.

The operation resulted in one arrest, one recovered stolen vehicle, and nine traffic stops.

Recently, the SLCPD’s crime analysts detected a significant increase in the thefts and attempted thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the Rose Park neighborhood.

These incidents are mostly occurring on the weekends during the late-night hours. No suspects have been identified.

The SLCPD has identified, citywide, at least 28 cases of stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles since late November.

The SLCPD frequently identifies and adapts to changing crime patterns throughout Salt Lake City.

This operation demonstrates the SLCPD’s commitment of using all available resources to reduce criminal activity and keeping communities throughout Salt Lake City safe through strategic enforcement.

During Saturday’s operation, officers arrested 31-year-old Steve Trujillo.

Officers booked Trujillo into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of failure to respond to an officer’s signal to stop, failure to stop at the command of law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance, and driving under the influence.

Trujillo is not considered a suspect in the recent stolen car cases.

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 Salt Lake City Police Department has a dedicated unit solely focused on auto theft. This unit comprises highly skilled and experienced detectives who not only follow up on cases by handling all auto theft investigations but also deploy into the field to track down known vehicle theft offenders with warrants or to search for and recover stolen vehicles. Periodically, the SLCPD Auto Theft Unit conducts multi-day operations, utilizing various department resources and technology to assist in making arrests and recovering vehicles. These operations have an immediate and direct impact on reducing other crimes being committed in Salt Lake City.

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.

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