A "key piece of evidence" found at the burglaries led investigators to an apartment complex near 300 East and 8600 South in Sandy, an address they believed was the home of their suspect, Ryan Ferguson, said Lehi police Sgt. Jeff Swenson.

Officers tried to stop Ferguson when he drove up to the complex around 8:30 p.m. but were led on a three-mile chase as Ferguson crossed fields and crashed through fences, Swenson said.

Ferguson eventually fled on foot. But with the help of several other law-enforcement agencies, Ferguson was arrested by Lehi police around 10:30 p.m. and booked into the Utah County Jail on suspicion of more than 40 felonies.

Investigators believe at least one other suspect may still be at large.

The news of Ferguson's arrest was a relief to Lehi business owner Mike Holmes, whose heating and air conditioning company was the hardest hit in Sunday's burglaries.

"It's pretty remarkable they got him so fast," Holmes said. "The Lehi police have just been terrific."

The burglary at his business was also the most personal of the group. Thieves targeted a safe where Holmes kept about two dozen guns, many of them used for hunting or trap-shooting tournaments in which Holmes has won several awards.

After ransacking his office and rifling through employees' desks, the burglars stole a truck, wrapped the safe with straps and dragged it into the parking lot through the front wall of the business, Swenson said.

They stole a forklift from a nearby construction site and tried to pry open the safe. When that failed, they used a blowtorch and started cutting.

A shop foreman reported the burglary around 2:30 a.m. Holmes pulled into the parking lot of his business less than a half hour later.

"There was a big pile of bricks where the wall used to be," Holmes said.

Damage to the building is estimated around $30,000.

"I don't care so much about getting the guns and such back as I am about them not being on the street. Everything that's happened so far can be replaced or fixed or repaired. Nobody was hurt and everything was insured," Holmes said.

Holmes says he does not recognize Ferguson. But after being in business for more than 25 years, he figures at least one ex-employee has held a grudge against him.

"I still think it's someone who wants some revenge," Holmes said.

Two handguns were found in Ferguson's vehicle, Swenson said. A search of his apartment yielded 14 more guns.

A third handgun, which Swenson said was on Ferguson as he fled police Tuesday night, was recovered Wednesday morning. All of the guns are believed to belong to Holmes, police said.

mwestley@sltrib.com