Fire captain faces abuse charges

FARMINGTON — A captain with the South Davis Metro Fire Agency has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing a child.

Bradley Dean Freeze, 42, of Kaysville, was in 2nd District Court on Monday, where he was charged with three first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Freeze allegedly took photos of a 6-year-old autistic girl with his cell phone while having inappropriate contact with her in 2010 and 2011.

His next court date is Aug. 22.

Man to serve three months

FARMINGTON — A man who pleaded guilty to third-degree felony attempted robbery was sentenced to serve three months in the Davis County Jail.

In addition to the jail time, Christopher Garcia-Burgos, 19, was also sentenced to three years probation. Second District Judge David Conners stayed a prison sentence of up to five years in lieu of the jail time and probation.

Police say that Garcia-Burgos, Errik Vincent Leacock, 21, and Walter Geovany Lopez, 22, assaulted a 25-year-old man who offered to pay them to take him to Ogden in April.

The victim was on foot at 745 N. Hill Field Road in Layton when he got into a truck driven by Garcia-Burgos. The three then assaulted the victim and took his money.

Lopez was also in court Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to third-degree felony attempted robbery. He will be sentenced Oct. 11. Leacock was sentenced in July, also to 90 days in jail and three year’s probation.

Emmett pleads not guilty

FARMINGTON — Raymond Joseph Emmett, pleaded not guilty Monday in 2nd District Court to robbery and burglary charges.

Emmett, 32, is accused of threatening a couple with a knife after he broke into their car and was caught looking through a purse on March 31.

He is charged with first-degree felony aggravated robbery, third-degree felony possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and class A misdemeanor burglary of a vehicle.

Police say the couple was awakened by a car horn honking on the morning of March 31. When they looked out the window, they saw that the dome light in one of their cars was on.

When they went to investigate, they saw a man going through the contents of a purse.

In a statement issued at the time of the incident, Layton Police said the couple tried to trap the suspect by closing the driver’s side door.

He then drew a knife, threatened them and escaped through another door.

The couple told police that when the man was out of the vehicle, he started swinging the knife at them.

The suspect got away, but the victims picked Emmett out of a photo lineup and he was arrested later.

No leads yet in NSL robbery

NORTH SALT LAKE — Police here say they are interviewing people and examining forensic evidence in an interrupted burglary that happened at a home in a quiet neighborhood early Monday morning, but as of yet have no solid leads in the case.

North Salt Lake Police Chief Craig Black said Wednesday, “There’s nothing about this case that leads us to believe the family was targeted, (as in a home invasion robbery).” At this time, the chief said that police aren’t sure if they’re dealing with one or two suspects.

About 4 a.m. Monday, a suspect entered the home on Springridge Circle through an unlocked door leading to the basement.

A man in his 20s who lives in the basement, heard someone and found the suspect in another room and confronted him. Black said the suspect hit the man in the face and ran.

After police were called and were searching nearby yards, either the same suspect returned, or a second suspect pointed a gun at the victim’s mother and told the husband to move aside or he would hurt the wife.

In addition to North Salt Lake Police, officers from other agencies searched for the suspect or suspects, including a K9 unit from Salt Lake City Police and the Department of Public Safety’s helicopter.

Black said he believes the case was a burglary which turned into an armed robbery, and not a typical “home invasion robbery,” which generally involves gangs and/or drugs.

“There’s nothing like that associated with this family. It’s foreign behavior to them,” Black said, adding the family remains upset.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call police at 801-298-6000.

Antelope island fire contained

ANTELOPE ISLAND— A lightning-sparked fire was stopped last weekend here, but not before burning 660 acres.

The fast-moving fire started about 9 p.m. on Aug. 4, according to Jason Curry, spokesperson for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

Curry said the fire started near Whiterock Bay. About 100 visitors were evacuated from two nearby campgrounds.

While the fire came within a short distance of the bison corral, there was no danger to wildlife. “Wildlife tend to run from fires,” Curry said.

Firefighters from a number of agencies responded, including: Sunset, Syracuse, North Davis Fire District, Clinton, Layton, Hill Air Force Base and South Davis Metro Fire Agency.

Layton man in critical condition

LAYTON — A 20-year-old Layton man is in critical condition at an Ogden hospital after he lost control of the motorcycle he was driving and was thrown from it late Tuesday night.

Layton Police Lt. Garrett Atkin said the man was traveling at a high rate of speed, and not wearing a helmet, when the accident occurred about 11 p.m. in the area of Highway 89 and Oak Hills Drive.

He was unconscious when police and medical personnel arrived on scene.

He was taken by ambulance to the hospital with head injuries.

“Some witness reports said he was traveling more than 100 mph, but we can’t confirm that at this time,” Atkin said. Witnesses also reported the man may have been struck by another vehicle, but police have found no evidence to that effect.

Early reports also were that the man was intoxicated. Atkin said police are still investigating to determine if alcohol played a role in the crash.

And, some reports indicated the man may have been texting at the time of the accident, “However, Layton Police Department no longer considers that to be the case,” Atkin said.

Stayner ordered to pay

FARMINGTON — A man in the Davis County Jail has been ordered to begin repaying $3.9 million plus interest in restitution.

Farmington businessman David B. Stayner, 69, was ordered last week to begin paying $750 monthly in restitution to investors he bilked of almost $4.2 million.

He pleaded guilty in December to securities fraud and communications fraud, both second-degree felonies and was sentenced to a year in jail and nine years probation.

Stayner was the owner of Secured Loan Fund.

According to court documents, Stayner collected funds from multiple investors in 2004, telling his clients the investments were secure and would pay a guaranteed 12 percent interest.

The funds were used to buy property in California. He also used some of the principal to repay some investors. As part of his probation, Stayner cannot be employed by any business where he could handle money.

He will be back in court Oct. 5 for a hearing.