Man pleads guilty to Christmas Eve burglary and other thefts

James Merritt, 32, arrested December 24, 2015, on suspicion of burglary, theft and assault.

LOGAN — A 32-year-old Logan man accused of several vehicle and home burglaries two months ago, has pleaded guilty and will now await sentencing.

James D. Merritt stood in 1st District Court wearing handcuffs and shackles, Tuesday morning. He spoke only a few times, answering “yes” as Judge Brian Cannell asked if he understood the maximum prison sentences for the charges he was pleading guilty to.

State attorney Aaron Jossie said Merritt was responsible for a string of burglaries and thefts from September 1 through December 24. He was arrested after being caught by a homeowner, breaking into a garage in North Logan on Christmas Eve.

The homeowner reportedly confronted Merritt and attempted to hold him at gunpoint while calling police.

Jossie said, Merritt rushed the homeowner and the two of them scuffled. The defendant then fled in a Jeep, hitting a mailbox and damaging the vehicle as he drove away.

Officers with the Logan City Police Department later located a vehicle matching the Jeep’s description, in the parking lot of a department store. Merritt was questioned and arrested. He faced 35 counts of burglary and theft charges.

Jossie said officers have recovered electronics, several expensive bicycles, firearms and other valuables that had been reported stolen.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, Merritt pleaded guilty to four charges of felony theft, two charges of felony burglary and three misdemeanors. Sentencing has been scheduled for March 22. He’s being held in the Cache County Jail without bail and could face up to 15-years in prison.

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