OGDEN, UT -- An accused burglar's claim that he was just practicing to be a locksmith proved to be a key in his arrest, police say.
Justin Atmore, 31, was arrested by Weber County Sheriff's Office deputies Sunday.
Atmore has been charged with burglary of a vehicle, manufacture/ possession of burglary tools, possession/use of a firearm by a restricted person, five counts of theft by receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He has been released from jail.
Weber County sheriff's deputies were dispatched Sunday to a vehicle burglary in progress, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by Detective J. Kelley.
When the officers arrived, they found Atmore, who told them he was practicing to be a locksmith on the car he is accused of burglarizing.
Kelley said he observed at the scene several burglary tools, including picklocks, pliers, knives, a screwdriver, bolt cutters and a small glass pipe commonly used for smoking illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine.
A search warrant was obtained, and numerous items were seized from a truck, including several purses, wallets, a camera, religious books, Scriptures and DVDs that had been stolen.
Also located in the truck was a stolen .380-caliber handgun and gems valued at $5,000, the affidavit says.
Atmore admitted to using methamphetamine, according to the affidavit.
Copyright 2012 - Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah
