CEDAR CITY, Utah — A local man is facing several felony charges after a series of break-ins that targeted multiple businesses throughout Cedar City. Jayme Lynn “Bayme” Peterson, 47, was arrested on charges that include three third-degree felony counts of burglary, three third-degree felony counts of theft, one third-degree felony count of property damage, two class A misdemeanor counts of property damage, and one class B misdemeanor for possession of burglary tools.
The string of burglaries began on the morning of March 3, when Peterson allegedly broke into an IHOP restaurant around 5 a.m. by smashing a front door window. Once inside, Peterson reportedly stole a safe that contained $500 in cash and keys to the restaurant. The safe’s value was estimated at $372, while damages to the glass door were calculated at $586, and the cost to re-key the restaurant was around $138.
A breakthrough in the investigation came when Cedar City police showed surveillance footage of the IHOP burglary to Peterson’s girlfriend. According to the affidavit, she immediately recognized him in the video, saying, “I don’t even need my glasses to tell you that is him.”
Less than two weeks later, on March 14, Peterson was linked to another break-in, this time at Pawn Plus. Officers were called to the scene at approximately 8:30 a.m., where they found the front glass door shattered and several items missing. Security footage from the store revealed a large man dressed in a black coat, orange shirt, gloves, black pants, and a black hat with a multicolored brim. The footage showed the suspect taking two pellet guns and several laptops.
Later that day, officers were alerted to two rifles found on the side of I-15, both of which were determined to have come from Pawn Plus. The rifles were recovered and returned to the store.
The final burglary connected to Peterson occurred at Tropical Smoothie on the southern end of Cedar City. Just before 1 a.m. on March 17, the store’s front door was found ajar with broken glass scattered around the entrance. Surveillance footage from a neighboring business captured an older model light-colored sedan arriving at the scene, with Peterson, identified through the vehicle’s license plate, seen walking out of the Tropical Smoothie with a safe in hand.
The stolen safe was later found discarded on the side of I-15. It contained over $1,400 in cash, along with a Tropical Smoothie gift certificate and a deposit bag. Damage to the store, safe, and cash registers totaled approximately $2,000.
Peterson was eventually located attending a class in West Valley City, where officers arrested him. During a subsequent search of his vehicle, investigators discovered the laptops stolen from Pawn Plus, as well as clothing matching what Peterson was wearing during the alleged break-ins. Additionally, tools typically used in burglaries were found in his possession.
Peterson was booked into jail, where he is facing multiple charges related to his alleged involvement in the burglaries.