Summit County urges residents to report missing valuables after pest control worker accused of theft

PARK CITY, Utah — The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to report possible burglaries or thefts from their homes over the past six months as detectives investigate a case involving a pest control worker accused of stealing jewelry and other valuables while servicing local homes.

Eric Michael Thomas, 26, was arrested Oct. 9 and accused of stealing high-end jewelry from a home in Summit County while working as a pest control employee. He faces charges of second-degree felony burglary of a dwelling and second-degree felony theft involving property valued at $5,000 or more, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit states the investigation began after a Summit County resident reported that Thomas had sprayed pest control products around the exterior of their home before knocking on the front door. Thomas allegedly told the resident it was the company’s last service before winter and their last opportunity to have the interior treated.

The resident allowed Thomas to spray inside the home, and at one point, he entered the primary bedroom closet and shut the door behind him, according to the affidavit. The resident became suspicious and, after Thomas left the closet, immediately checked the jewelry and noticed multiple items were missing.

The resident also told deputies they believed Thomas had taken a diamond necklace during a visit about a month earlier.

Deputies recovered several pieces of jewelry from Thomas on the scene, including the items the resident identified as missing from the home. The resident provided invoices totaling $14,719.69 for three of the recovered items, not including other allegedly stolen jewelry.

The affidavit states that Thomas admitted to stealing jewelry or other small, high-value items from more than 10 other homes in the area. Investigators reported that he said the items were stored in a box at his home and had not been sold, though he declined to answer why he hadn’t sold them yet.

The Sheriff’s Office said detectives have since recovered various items of value, primarily small electronics and jewelry, that have not yet been identified. Investigators believe the items may be connected to additional thefts that were never reported.

Residents who discover missing property are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office nonemergency dispatch line at 435-615-3601. The request also applies to residents who previously reported a theft but believe it could be related to the investigation.

When reporting a possible theft, residents should provide as much information as possible about the missing items, including photographs, descriptions, distinguishing features, engravings, special markings or serial numbers. Investigators said those details could help determine whether recovered property is connected to reported incidents.

Thomas’s arrest and the allegations described in the affidavit have not been adjudicated in court.