TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — A Taylorsville man was arrested this week after allegedly assaulting his former roommate and attempting to take the man’s dentures during a confrontation at a residence the two shared years ago.
According to police reports, 59-year-old John Dana Warden entered the residence on March 5, where he reportedly accused the current occupant of possessing his dentures. The two men had been roommates two to three years prior, but the dispute quickly escalated.
The resident, who was in the process of cleaning his dentures, asked Warden to leave. However, Warden allegedly refused, demanding the return of his teeth. Police documents indicate that Warden physically grabbed the man by the arm and forcefully took the dentures from his hands.
Responding officers arrested Warden at the scene and discovered a glass pipe with white residue in his jacket pocket. Warden reportedly told authorities that he had “forgotten it was in his pocket.”
As a result of the incident, Warden was charged with assault, robbery, and possession or use of drug paraphernalia. He is currently being held pending further legal proceedings.
This bizarre altercation serves as a reminder of how volatile disputes over personal property can become, with legal consequences extending far beyond what might have been a simple misunderstanding.