Carbon County Sheriff’s Capt. Guy Adams is being investigated for criminal mischief after he allegedly used a car key or other instrument to scratch three government-owned vehicles last month at a South Salt Lake business, according to police reports.
Carbon County Sheriff James Cordova said that on Jan. 6, he and Adams, his second-in-command, made the drive to a shop in South Salt Lake for "a simple vehicle maintenance repair issue."
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The shop was fixing an emergency light installed on Adam’s patrol vehicle. The two waited for the repairs to be made, then headed back to Carbon County but not before Adams allegedly left his mark on several vehicles parked in the lot.
According to a South Salt Lake police report, Cordova and Adams met with the owner of the repair shop around noon. During the meeting, Adams excused himself to go out back for a smoke break, according to a South Salt Lake police report.
Later, after Cordova and Adams left, employees noticed damage "indicative of being keyed or intentionally scratched" to three vehicles belonging to customers that were parked behind the business, the report states.
A red 2012 GMC Crew Cab belonging to a fire department in Idaho had scratches on the hood and about 10 vertical scratches a half-inch long on the driver’s side door, the report states.
A 2012 Ford Fusion belonging to the Syracuse Police Department had several small scratches on driver’s side door frame.
A 2008 Ford Expedition belonging to the U.S. Forest Service had several small scratches near the driver’s door handle.
The damage to one vehicle was estimated to be at least $600.
No motive for the alleged vandalism was reported by investigators.
Jeff Hall, chief deputy with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed Tuesday that the case is being screened for possible criminal charges.
Meanwhile, Adams has been on paid administrative leave while Cordova’s department conducts an internal investigation into potential policy violations.
"I will review the facts that are set before me and I will make a decision from there [about the future of Adam’s employment]," Cordova said.
Twitter: @CimCity
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