The Riverton man arrested and charged in connection with the burglary of his ex-girlfriend’s home in Tooele accepted a plea deal in 3rd District Court Tuesday.
Bennie Ray Walker, Jr., 31, pleaded guilty to an amended count of third-degree felony burglary. Misdemeanor counts of theft, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief were dismissed as part of the plea deal. Walker was sentenced by 3rd District Court Judge Robert Adkins to up to five years in the Utah State Prison.
Tooele City police were called to reports of a burglary in process on Sundown Lane, just after midnight, according to a probable cause statement. The reporting party, who owned the home, identified Walker as the person inside the rental property.
When police officers arrived at the home, Walker had already left in a maroon Dodge Durango, the statement said. The reporting party said the same truck had been in the driveway and Walker had come out to speak with him before the police were called.
In his conversation with police, the homeowner said Walker did not have permission to be in the home and the garage door into the house had been forced open. Officers saw damage to the door and door frame consistent with the homeowner’s statement.
Tooele police caught up with Walker on 400 South and he admitted to taking multiple items from the house, the statement said. The arresting officers said Walker had also taken a laptop belonging to a friend of the owner of the Durango that Walker was driving.
The owner of the laptop told police Walker had stolen a cell phone and Walker was found in possession of it, the statement said. Police officers also found a pipe used for illicit drug use on Walker during the search.
Walker told police he pried open the garage door that led to the rental home with a lawnmower blade he found in the garage, according to the statement.