Stolen truck recovery in Heber City uncovers widespread theft case with juvenile suspect

Photo: Heber City Police Department

HEBER CITY, Utah — Heber City Police recovered a stolen GMC truck and arrested a juvenile suspect after officers tracked the vehicle through OnStar technology earlier this week.

Police responded to Mountainland Auto Sales on Dec. 2 after the dealership reported that a truck had been taken from its lot on Nov. 28. Security footage showed a suspect entering the property and driving the vehicle away, prompting officers to launch an investigation.

Working with General Motors’ OnStar service, police received real-time GPS updates on the truck’s location. OnStar also initiated an ignition block, preventing the vehicle from being restarted.

Officers found the truck parked in a nearby neighborhood, where a resident had also reported suspicious activity involving the unloading of tools. Further investigation led police to identify a juvenile suspect at a Heber City residence. The teen was taken into custody without incident.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the home and recovered a large amount of suspected stolen property tied to multiple cases across Utah, including tools, vehicle parts and a stolen trailer.

The juvenile was transported to Slate Canyon Youth Center and booked on multiple charges, including theft of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property, and additional vehicle-related theft offenses.

Heber City Police say they are working on returning the other items to their owners. The department thanked residents for their tips and encouraged the community to continue reporting suspicious activity.