The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office recently arrested a 40-year-old Imperial woman allegedly found camping out in a stranger’s garage in the 3000 block of East Dry Fork Road in Imperial. The woman was arrested about 6:15 a.m. Jan. 22 after the victim found the woman in his garage and called authorities, a report said.
The victim told deputies he entered his garage, which is attached to his house, and found the woman lying in a makeshift bed with a stove operating. A deputy who was called to the scene found the woman standing inside, took her into custody and placed her in the patrol car, according to the report.
The suspect allegedly told the deputy she got inside the garage by using a garage door opener she found in an unlocked van in the driveway. The victim said he found an empty pizza box, open cans of soda, empty cracker wrappers and an empty pack of cigarettes that had been in storage in the garage prior to the suspect’s appearance, the report said.
In addition, the victim said the shirt the suspect was wearing was his. He said the shirt was new and in the wrapper in his work van before he found the suspect wearing it. The business T-shirt and the food the woman allegedly stole were valued at $85, according to the report.
The suspect was arrested for burglary. She was booked and held on outstanding warrants for other alleged offenses, Cpl. Matthew Moore said.