Man arrested, accused of snowboard thefts at Park City lodge
Jan 20, 2025, 8:00 PM
FILE — Police lights shown in West Valley City on Sept. 24, 2024. (Nathanial Gillis, KSL TV)
(Nathanial Gillis, KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY — Summit County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Park City man after three snowboard thefts were reported by Sunrise Lodge. The hotel is at the base of Canyon’s Village, which is part of Park City Mountain Resort.
A probable cause statement said Sunrise Lodge staff contacted the sheriff’s office on Jan. 17. They said three snowboard thefts had occurred on the property.
When an officer arrived, Sunrise Lodge provided surveillance footage. It showed a man wearing jeans, a dark sweater, and a red hat stealing two snowboards. Two of the boards matched descriptions of those that had been reported stolen.
Victims find their snowboards on Facebook Marketplace
Two victims of the snowboard thefts told police they found their snowboards listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Both of the listings had been posted by an account named William Richard.
Then, police contacted the seller to arrange to purchase the snowboards.
Meanwhile, Summit County Sheriff’s Office was able to link the Facebook account to 41-year-old William Richard Ryan of Park City.
When police met Ryan to purchase the snowboards, he had one of them, described by the probable cause statement as a Burton Custom Flying X snowboard with sulfur-colored bindings. He was wearing the same clothing as in the surveillance footage.
Two of the victims provided serial numbers to police. The information helped officers identify the snowboards. Additionally, the probable cause statement said that one of the victims of the theft identified his snowboard in person.
During an interview with police, Ryan said that he had stolen the snowboards in an attempt to get money. He claimed his wallet had been stolen. He also revealed the location of the other two snowboards.
Additionally, the probable cause statement said Ryan admitted to stealing other items, including skis. The value of all the items totaled $2,530.
Ryan was booked into Summit County Jail. He is being charged with one count of theft and one count of possessing stolen property.
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