Since Monday, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office has been searching for Madeline Bernadette Lopez, a 21-year-old Herriman resident wanted for burglary of a dwelling/domestic violence, two counts of aggravated assault/domestic violence, criminal mischief, domestic violence in the presence of a child and disorderly conduct.

According to a press release, UCSO deputies responded to a witness report in Eagle Mountain of a woman vandalizing a car by slashing the tires and scratching words into the paint of the car.

“There was pretty significant damage to the car,” Sgt. Spencer Cannon told the Daily Herald. “The charge on it was estimated between $1,500 and $5,000 in damage which makes it a third-degree felony. We believe she carved ‘cheater’ into the car. There was some kind of liquid that was pour or maybe spilled in the car, but we don’t know if that was her or not. The car was unlocked at the time.”

Law enforcement discovered Lopez went to an Eagle Mountain apartment where her ex-boyfriend allegedly lived with their 13-month-old child.

“At the door she attempted to enter the apartment, but the victim inside would not open it,” Cannon wrote. “The victim told deputies Lopez was using some kind of Electronic Incapacitation Device (EID) to shock the door handle. The victim opened the door just a crack and Lopez forcefully pushed the door open while the victim was holding their child.”

The victim told law enforcement that Lopez allegedly held the EID within close proximity to himself and the child while demanding that he put the child down, according to the release. It was reported the victim was able to get around Lopez and left the apartment.

“As the victim left the apartment, Lopez told him he couldn’t go anywhere because she had already slashed his tires,” Cannon wrote.

According to the release, Lopez got into a waiting car driven by Dana Michelle Islas Candelas, who will be charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct for allegedly assisting Lopez.

Law enforcement officials believe the victim and child to be in danger from Lopez, but the UCSO hasn’t been able to locate her. After a deputy attempted to reach Lopez, she called back but wouldn’t agree to turning herself in. Police are asking anyone who knows the whereabouts of Lopez or Islas to call the Central Utah 911 Dispatch at 801-794-3970.

“I don’t know exactly what was said between them,” Cannon said. “The deputy said that he wanted to meet with her, and she refused. She did say that she wanted to see or be with her child, and under the circumstances we can’t approve anything like that. We need for her to turn herself in.”

While police haven’t been able to find Lopez in person, she has been actively commenting on the UCSO’s Facebook post about her. Lopez posted dozens of pictures of what seem to be text messages and emails between her and her ex-boyfriend.

“She has commented on it extensively and shared information on what she says were previous instances where he has assaulted or threatened her,” Cannon said. “I don’t know specifics on those, but she did show pictures of text messages between her and her ex. There were also police pictures of what looks to be police reports.”

According to court records, Lopez filed for several protective orders over the past few years, but all cases were dismissed for non-appearance related reasons. Lopez was also charged with assault on a police officer in 2020.

Newsletter