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Dennis Shunn

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Haylee Viles mugshot

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PROVO — More than 100 stolen items will be returned to their owners after a burglary investigation led Provo police to a theft ring.

On Dec. 7 Provo police officers responded to a car theft at 1200 N. Terrace Drive. The suspects took several credit cards and used them at nearby locations, according to police.

Surveillance video from those places identified 43-year-old Dennis Shunn and 26-year-old Hayley Viles as possible suspects, according to police. Upon finding Shunn at the M-Star Motel at 1380 S. University Ave., police reportedly discovered burglary tools, methamphetamine and more than 100 stolen items belonging to more than 30 people.

Shunn was booked into the Utah County jail on multiple charges, including possession of stolen property, vehicle burglary and possession of illegal drugs. Viles was also booked in the Utah County Jail on charges of forgery and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Close to half of the stolen items have been returned to their owners. Some of the recovered items include blank checkbooks, personal identification, backpacks, car titles and 72-hour kits. Police are working to identify owners of the remaining property.

In 2010, Shunn was a defendant in six criminal cases in Utah County, most involving theft. In all, he pleaded guilty to retail theft, attempted damage to jails, two counts of theft, possession of a controlled substance, three counts of unlawful acquisition/possession/transfer of a card and theft by receiving stolen property.

In October he was sentenced in four of those cases to 270 days in jail, with credit for 219 days, and 36 months of probation.