PROVO, Utah -- The Humane Society is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to the person behind a string of disturbing animal cruelty cases that have appeared in Provo.

Provo police have investigated several cases involving cats that had been mutilated and burned. Police said the suspect bound the animals’ paws with tape before setting them on FrontRunner tracks to be run over. At least six dead cats have been found, according to Provo police.

Carl Arky, Humane Society, said they are hoping the reward will help bring attention to the case so the suspect can be located.

“you never get used to it,” he said. “I mean, you see that, you shake your head. We gotta do something about this. You ask, ‘What can we do?’ That's why we offer the $3,000 reward."

The attacks have occurred within the last month or so, and all of the dead cats were found near the railroad tracks between Geneva Road and Independence Avenue.

Anyone with information about the attacks is encouraged to contact Detective Morgan, Provo police, at 801-852-7292.

PROVO, Utah — The Humane Society of Utah has increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for torturing and killing 6 cats from $3,000 to $5,000.

The cats were found about a month ago in Provo in the area between Independence Avenue and Geneva Road. The cats paws’ were bound with tape and the cats were strangled and left on the railroad tracks to die.

Director of Communication Carl Arky, Humane Society of Utah, said this is one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they’ve ever seen, which is why the reward has been increased.

“Our members think it’s important too,” he said. “We’ve had a great response on this particular case, and a lot of people are outraged about that. In fact, part of the reason we’re able to increase the reward money is because some of our members have said, ‘We’ll kick in some more money to try to find out whoever did this.’”

The person responsible for the killings could face a maximum fine of $5,000 and as many as five years in prison, according to Utah statutes.

Anyone with information about the attacks is encouraged to contact Detective Morgan, Provo police, at 801-852-7292.

PROVO, Utah – About 3,000 runners are registered to take part in the Provo Marathon Saturday.

Because of the Boston Marathon Bombing, Provo Police and race organizers are increasing security and volunteers to ensure race day runs smoothly.

Police have put together a plan with more uniformed personnel from multiple agencies than ever before. An additional 25 officers will join the usual group of about 50 along the race route.

Race directors say the extra precautions are to give runners and spectators more peace of mind, not because of any threat.

“So as precaution to give our runners that safety, give them that sense of secuirty, our background checks in terms of what we do, our plans just making sure everyone feels safe and confident, and just making sure the race goes off smoothly,” said Denny Thorne, race director.

Organizers are also paying tribute to Boston. Wrist bands will be sold where runners pick up their packets. Participants are also being encouraged to wear patriotic gear or anything that memorializes the city and victims. About 250 volunteers are helping on the day of the race.

PROVO, Utah – People in Provo said panhandlers were uncommon in the city up until the past few years, and some are now concerned about the problem of professional panhandlers.

Panhandling is legal, but Lt. Matt Siufanua, Provo Police Department, said some of the people begging for change are actually part of a complex system.

“Not all of them, but there are some groups out there that are very organized, and they assign where they're gonna go, how long they're gonna be there, and then when they get together they pool their money,” he said.

Police said Center Street, with its frequent stops and 15 mph speed limit, is an inviting place to panhandle, but they said they are trying to prevent the activity.

“We're doing all we can do right now,” Siufanua said.

Provo passed a law last year that prohibits people from walking into lanes of traffic to collect money, but panhandling still takes place, and officials with the mayor’s office said complaints keep coming in.

The city put up signs three months ago that encourage people to donate to organizations that help the needy rather than individuals out on the streets.

“On our signs we give a number, a website where people can actually donate,” Siufanua said.

One panhandler who spoke to Fox 13 said he panhandles regularly, but he said he isn’t part of an organized effort.

“Last night I slept on a bench cause yesterday wasn't a good day,” the man said.

The man said raising money for a hotel room is always his first goal, but he admits he has a problem.

“I ain't gonna lie to you, I am an alcoholic, you know,” the man said.

Siufanua said their crackdown on panhandling isn’t meant to hurt those in need, but instead to help them and others.

“We recognize that there are those in the community who need help from all of us,” he said. “And if we could get any message out to the public it's to send the help in the right direction, which is Food and Care Coalition, the United Way and those types of organizations that know how to reach out and help people.”

PROVO, Utah  -- Provo police asked the public to avoid the area near 545 West and 300 North in Provo as bomb squads dealt with a suspicious device then believed to be a bomb.

The device was the second suspicious device found in that area Sunday. Another device had been reported around 11 a.m. near 600 West and 300 South. Bomb squads were in the area for several hours to deal with the perceived threat.

Both devices proved mundane, however. The device found first proved to be a large firework. The second was some kind of battery pack.

Lt. Matthew Siufanua, Provo Police Department, said the devices initially appeared to be pipe bombs.

PROVO, Utah --Two more victims have come forward and accused a man of molesting them at the Provo Recreation Center on Saturday.

Provo police arrested James Harrison, 38, Saturday after two 13-year old girls alleged the man had tried to grope them in the pool at the center.  Lt. Matthew Siufanua of the Provo Police Department said two more girls, ages 6 and 10, came forward Sunday morning with similar stories.

“I don’t know what was in his mind," he said. "I can tell you, generally speaking for predators, they go seeking for opportunities, and the pools are opportunities for these individuals. The Provo Rec Center is not alone. These kinds of situations and crimes occur at other pools and other locations."

Authorities arrested Harrison after the initial reports and charged him with two counts of sexual battery in connection with the incidents.

“He was in the pool with them, and we believe that with one of them he actually came up and just started talking to her, and then the assault itself occurred right then,” Siufanua said.

The girl reported the incident to a lifeguard, and shortly after, a second 13-year-old girl came forward with the same story.

“I wish I could say that it was surprising,” said Siufanua. “But I can tell you that this kind of a crime occurs all of the time in our pools. I mean, it’s not rampant, but it does occur.”

According to Dr. Douglas Goldsmith of the Children’s Center, it’s too soon to tell how the alleged victims could be impacted by this, but he advises parents to monitor their child's behavior in the coming weeks, perhaps even months.

“I think it really depends on the child because some of the children are going to respond with now a lot of terror,” Goldsmith said. “They could really go home and say, ‘I’m not sleeping well, I'm scared that he’s going to do this again to me. What if he comes back after me?' Especially the younger children could show a lot of fright.”

Siufanua said investigators are considering the possibility Harrison may have approached others at the pool, based on how populated it was Saturday afternoon.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Provo Police Department at 801-852-6210.

PROVO, Utah – The Provo Police Department just hired its newest staff members for the bomb squad.

The two new additions to the department are dogs, but they aren’t the typical police dogs. When the dogs finish training, they’ll have the ability to prevent attacks like the recent bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Billy and Zima are Provo police’s newest bomb dogs, and they are gifts from the military and assets to the state. Provo Mayor John Curtis said there are a variety of uses for the highly trained animals. He said they can quickly sniff out things like bombs or guns.

“In Provo we have a lot of special events—freedom festival, parades, marathons...there will be a number of ways they'll be helpful for us,” he said.

Until now, Utah County law enforcement only had five bomb dogs, which means they’ve been spread thin for sporting events, school campuses, concerts, festivals and unexpected emergencies.

Lt. Matthew Siafanua, Provo Police Department, said the dogs are a much-needed addition.

"I think in our city last month we had about four EOD calls, where we had to have roads shut down, officers come out, perimeters set up, and the dogs come down and do the search, or do the sniffs on them, and so we borrow dogs from other agencies," he said.

The dogs will also eventually be utilized at the Provo Airport. The dogs work full-time, and Bryce Lewis of the Provo bomb squad said the dog Billy will mostly be seen at Timpview High School and other local campuses.

“To go down before an assembly, there's been plots up in, I believe it was Roy, where kids were gonna set off pipe bombs at an assembly, so we can go clear that stuff, and we expect to get called out all the time," he said. "He'll be coming with me on those call outs."

Officials said Zima and Billy will finish their training by September.

PROVO, Utah -- The Provo Police Department commissioned an artist to paint two tunnels along the Provo River trail in hopes that it might stop graffiti.

The Muralist, Jess Smart Smiley, spent 200 hours on the project, which depicts cartoon-like characters running, biking, and skating along the trail.

Smiley said he hopes it deters graffiti and promotes safety.

"I can't tell you how many times I was painting here and people would come through and say this is their first time through the tunnel, because now it looks safe," Smiley said. "I wish all my pictures could have that effect."

Provo police said they would like to see more of the murals and add that they feel it could revitalize the Provo River Trail.

"There's been a lot of negativity about the trail in the past couple of years, so we just wanted to show people that it is a safe place to come, and we can make it bright and cheery, and fun," said Janna-Lee Haigh, who is the special operations coordinator for the Provo Police Department.

The mural is covered in a gloss sealant to make it easier to remove future graffiti.

Chief John King of the Provo Police Department came to the FOX 13 News studio Wednesday to discuss his new position and law enforcement in Provo.

PROVO, Utah – A man accused of groping women on Brigham Young University’s campus was ordered to appear in court, and officials at a rape recovery center expressed disappointment after the student was not jailed.

Police served Nathan Eric Fletcher, 22, with a court order Friday and said they believe he is connected to as many as 16 cases of groping that occurred since January.

Holly Mullen, executive director of the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City, said she believes Fletcher should have been jailed.

“The BYU administration has put out a notice to students, if they feel unsafe or insecure about walking on campus they’re free to call the police for a campus escort, which is fine except we still have somebody who’s accused of sexual assault walking freely in the city of Provo, and meanwhile the women are the ones who are supposed to be calling the police and to the Rape Recovery Center; that just doesn’t seem to add up. It doesn’t seem right,” Mullen said.

She also spoke about Fletcher’s alleged crimes.

“They are calling him a groper, but, frankly, sexual assault is actually what this is,” she said. “Grabbing a woman’s breasts is a little bit more than just groping, it’s a violation of her control and independence and her body.”

Officials with BYU police said they don’t typically arrest and jail suspects for misdemeanor charges. Fletcher faces two counts of sexual battery as class A misdemeanors and has until May 1 to report to the Fourth District Courthouse.

PROVO, Utah -- Provo Police are searching for three men in a take-over style bank robbery Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. Provo Police responded to a bank alarm at AM Bank, 3670 N. University Ave.

Bank employees told officers that they were robbed.

According to a press release from Provo Police, three armed men entered the bank and took control of the lobby. The suspects demanded cash and left with an undisclosed sum of money.

The suspects are described as Caucasian men wearing grey suits, fake beards and masks.

No one was hurt during the incident.

Police believe these are the same men who robbed an AM Bank in Lindon earlier this year.

According to Lindon Police, two suspects entered the bank on May 2 during the take-over style robbery. Bank tellers were injured during the incident.

The suspects left the Provo bank in a white Chevrolet full-size passenger van with tinted windows.

AM Bank is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.

Those with information about the Provo bank robbery have been asked to call Det. Payne with Provo Police at 801-852-6255.

PROVO, Utah – Provo Police said three suspects have been arrested in connection with a rash of recent bank robberies Tuesday.

Officials arrested 19-year-old Braydon Madsen, 21-year-old Luis Vera and 19-year-old Nicolas Vera for the bank robberies at the AM Banks in Lindon and Provo.

Nicholas Vera and Luis Vera were booked into the Utah County Jail for two counts of aggravated robbery.

Braydon Madsen was booked into the Utah County Jail for one Count of Aggravated Robbery.

Back on June 17, police were called to a takeover-style bank robbery at the AM Bank in Provo.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. Provo Police responded to a bank alarm at AM Bank, 3670 N. University Ave.

According to Provo Police, three armed men entered the bank and took control of the lobby.

The suspects demanded cash and left with an undisclosed sum of money.

The suspects were described as Caucasian men wearing grey suits, fake beards and masks.

No one was hurt during the incident.

Police said they believe these could be the same men who robbed an AM Bank in Lindon earlier this year.

According to Lindon Police, two suspects entered the bank on May 2 during the take-over style robbery. Bank tellers were injured during the incident.

The suspects left the Provo bank in a white Chevrolet full-size passenger van with tinted windows.

AM Bank is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.

Those with information about the Provo bank robbery have been asked to call Det. Payne with Provo Police at 801-852-6255.

PROVO, Utah – Two suspects are in custody for attempted murder after allegedly shooting a man in the face in Provo.

Provo shooting suspects 20-year-old Orem resident Guillermo Zepeda & 19-year-old Provo resident Severo Vine.

Police were called about a man shot in the head at a home near 700 W. and 300 S. Monday afternoon.

Officers found 19-year-old Alan Ruiz-Zamora who had been shot in the jaw.

He is in stable condition in the hospital.

According to Provo Police, Ruiz-Zamora went to visit a friend and was confronted by 20-year-old Orem resident Guillermo Zepeda.

Police said Zepeda showed his handgun, punched Ruiz-Zamora and ended up shooting him in the face.

Officials said 19-year-old Provo resident Severo Vine picked up Zepeda in a red Chevrolet Cavalier after the shooting.

The altercation allegedly stemmed from a previous fight over gang ties.

Provo shooting suspects 20-year-old Orem resident Guillermo Zepeda & 19-year-old Provo resident Severo Vine.

Authorities found Zepeda and Vine in the red Chevrolet Cavalier near 650 W. 1975 N. about two hours after the shooting.

Police tried to pull over the car but the suspects sped off and eventually ditched the car at an apartment complex near 1720 N. 450 W.

Zepeda led police on a short foot chase near a river where officers eventually had to roll him into the water to take him into custody.

Vine was arrested inside the red Chevrolet Cavalier.

Zepeda was then booked into the Utah County Jail for attempted murder, failure to stop at command of police and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.

Vine was booked for attempted murder.

PROVO, Utah -- One man is dead after an officer-involved shooting in Provo Sunday morning, and police said the man fled from police, feigned ramming a police vehicle, and eventually engaged with police while wearing a tactical vest and carrying an AR-15 style rifle--which police later determined was an Airsoft BB gun.

Police tell FOX 13 News that the Airsoft rifle should have had an orange tip to indicate it is a BB gun rather than a firearm, but they said it appears that the suspect had removed the orange tip from the rifle, which is pictured below. Airsoft BB guns are often modeled to look like realistic firearms, which is why the orange safety tips are a requirement.

Cody Evans. Image courtesy Facebook.

At approximately 7:59 a.m., police responded to a domestic violence call. Officers located a male suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Cody Evans of Springville, at Paul Ream Wilderness Park, 1600 W. 500 North, where he had barricaded himself in his truck, said Lt. Brandon Post with Provo police.

While in his truck, Post said, the suspect grabbed what appeared to be an AR-15 style rifle. A press release from police states Evans, "racked the charging handle on the rifle" and then told officers he was going to ram their cars. He began revving his engine, and officers attempted to box the man in by putting spike strips down in front of the truck.

Evans escaped the area by driving through neighborhood yards. Post said officers ended the pursuit for safety reasons after the suspect feigned ramming an officer and ran a red light.

The suspect's car was later found at 9:30 a.m. in the area of 1800 West and 600 South.

Post said Evans was in an outbuilding. When he came out of the structure to get back to his truck, Post said, the suspect was wearing a tactical vest. Officers ordered the man to stop and show his hands, but the suspect instead ran to his truck, opened the door and pulled out the rifle spotted earlier.

Police determined this to be an Airsoft BB gun after a man fleeing from police pointed it at officers and was shot and killed by police. Courtesy of Provo Police Department

A press release states the suspect, "then immediately pointed the rifle at officers who engaged him." Police fired, and the suspect died at the scene. Police stated later Sunday that the officers were about 100 feet away from the man when he pointed the rifle at them, and a total of three shots were fired by police. It was not immediately clear how many of those rounds truck Evans.

An officer from Provo police and a deputy from the Utah County Sheriff's Office were involved in the shooting, according to a press release from Provo police.

The countywide officer-involved shooting team is in charge of the investigation and scene.

Evans' brother, Glenn Bourque reacted to the incident.

"All I know is this wasn't justified, Cody was a good kid, he had a big heart, loved his family, loved his kids," Bourque said.

Bourque said he and his brothers have had run ins with Provo Police in the past, and he said he believes those past incidents may have influenced or impacted how they treated Sunday's events.

Bourque also said Evans and his wife had a rocky relationship and were in the process of getting a separation.

"I think something to do with his wife pushed him, I don't know what it was," Bourque said.

Bourque said the last time he saw his brother was on Saturday, and he said he seemed perfectly fine. He said there was no indication the events of the following day could transpire.

He said: "His last Facebook post said, 'I measured my arms,' because he's been going to the gym, '19 inches this is the happiest I've ever been,' and for someone being the happiest they've ever been to getting gunned down, it's a shock."

PROVO, Utah -- It's been nearly a year since a Provo woman was found strangled inside her home -- the victim of an apparent random attack.

The murder of 60-year-old Belen Perez remains unsolved and a work in progress for police.

FOX 13’s Scott McKane sat down with the victim's son who opened up about his mother and his hope that her killer is caught.

Watch the video above for the full story.

PROVO, Utah — Provo police is seeking the public’s help in locating a 17-year-old runaway.

Charlie Lacono ran away from a group field trip on June 6 and has not been seen or heard from since, according to a Facebook post from Provo police.

Charlie has shoulder-length hair and was last seen wearing grey sweatpants and a white shirt.

Anyone with information on Charlie Lacono’s whereabouts is asked to call Provo police at 801-852-6210.

JUAB COUNTY, Utah — A suspect in an attempted homicide in Provo was captured in Nephi overnight, according to authorities early Saturday morning, and another individual arrested in connection with the incident faces obstruction of justice and theft charges.

Around 12:30 a.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center regarding a 26-year-old man who suffered multiple stab wounds.

According to police in Provo, the suspect had allegedly stabbed the victim six times in the back of the neck. Parties involved tell police the confrontation, “occurred over an alleged debt of money and narcotics at the Provo Towne Center Mall in an employee only area.”

The victim fled after the stabbing and sought treatment at a hospital.

On Friday night, Provo police tracked the suspect to Nephi.

Nephi City police, Juab County Sheriff’s Office and Utah Highway Patrol responded to assist, according a Juab County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post.

Authorities first responded to trailer court, Peach Tree Village, 700 East block of 200 North, where residents had seen the suspect, the post indicated. The sheriff’s office K9 searched several trailers in the area.

The search changed to a home a few blocks away.

While officers made contact with someone at the front door, the suspect allegedly fled out the back door.

Two Nephi City police officers took the suspect into custody without injury.

He was taken back to Utah County by Provo detectives.

Provo police stated Saturday they have arrested two people in connection with the case, Dennis Wing and Ambri Cazier.

Wing faces charges of attempted murder and possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility.

Crazier faces charges of obstruction of justice and theft.

The victim has been released from the hospital, Provo PD stated Saturday.

PROVO, Utah — Police are investigating the death of 1-year-old girl who died from an apparent heroin overdose.

On Dec. 2, paramedics responded to a 911 call at 509 W. 1800 North in Provo where the child, Penny Cormani was found purple or blue in the lips and not

Obituary photo from Wing Mortuary

responding.

The child’s mother, Cassandra Leydsman Richards, reported feeding Penny and doing laundry as her daughter played in the front room, according to an unsealed warrant from the Fourth District Court.

Richards put Penny down for a nap around 11 a.m. with a bottle of about 3 oz of vitamin D milk.

According to the warrant, when Richards went to check on Penny at noon, the child was purple or blue in the lips and not responding.

“Cassandra took Penny downstairs and attempted CPR,” the warrant states. “Casasandra called 911. Provo paramedics responded and transported Penny to the UVRMC where Penny was later declared deceased.”

An autopsy was performed at the medical examiner’s office.

“Tests returned from the Autopsy that indicated that Penny had a lethal amount of Heroin and that Codeine was also present,” the warrant states.

The day before Penny’s death, David and Sina Belgard, allowed Richards and Penny’s father, Casey Cormani, to stay in their Provo home.

After Penny’s death, the Belagards consented to a search of their home.

According to the warrant, authorities found numerous items of drug paraphernalia including burnt foil with residue and straws with burnt ends and residue.

“Burnt foil with residue and burnt straws were found inside of the room that Cassandra and Casey stayed in both on the ground and among Cassandra’s personal belongings,” the warrant states.

Burnt straws were also found in the living area downstairs on the carpet and on the coffee table.

According to the warrant, David Belgard told authorities he had seen Richards and Cormani using the straws to inhale their prescriptions.

“Cassandra and Casey both deny any illicit drug use and state that they consume their medications orally as prescribed,” the warrant states. “Both Casey and Cassandra reported that the paraphernalia belonged to either David or Sina.”

According to a search warrant from Provo police, a criminal history check showed David Belgard has been arrested and/or convicted on charges including driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of heroin, amphetamine and marijuana, false information to police and resisting arrest.

No one has been arrested in connection with Penny’s death at this time.

PROVO, Utah - David Belgard insists he and his wife are not to blame for the death of a 1-year-old girl in Provo.

“I’m probably going to take a lie detector test," Belgard said. "I can’t talk about it, but we’ll clear our names.”

One-year-old Penny Cormani was found lifeless on the floor of the Belgard home on Dec. 2. Police say a lethal amount of heroin and codeine were found in her system.

“The mother called in saying the child was purple and blue," said Provo Police spokesman Nick Dupaix.

Belgard said his friends, Cassandra Leydman Richards, and Casey Cormani had spent the night with their daughter Penny.  However, according to the police report, the next morning, around noon, Richards went to wake her daughter up from a nap, but found her blue, and unresponsive.

"I watched them carry her limp body out,” said a neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous.

Officer Dupaix said detectives were quickly dispatched to the residence where they found evidence of drug paraphernalia, including tin foil and straws, which may have been within reach of the 1-year-old girl.

According to the Provo Police search warrant, Belgard says:

"that he had observed both Cassandra and Casey using straws to inhale their prescriptions.”

But the parents pointed the finger back at the home owners saying:

"Both Casey and Cassandra reported that the paraphernalia belonged to either David or Sina.”

Police have yet to file any official charges against anyone involved, saying they are waiting on drug tests and the investigation to conclude before moving forward.

PROVO, Utah — A 16-year-old girl suffered fatal injuries in a car crash in Provo Friday night, and police said the driver of the other vehicle apparently ran a red light while working with a GPS device.

The accident occurred at around 10:20 p.m. on the northbound ramp to Interstate 15 from Center Street.

Family members attending a vigil Saturday night identified the victim as 16-year-old River Ackley of Pleasant Grove.

A black GMC Yukon occupied by five people was traveling north on Center Street, and a silver Dodge Ram, with the driver as the sole occupant, was stopped at a red light facing westbound at the intersection of the I-15 ramp and Center Street, according to a Facebook post from Provo police.

As the driver of the Yukon entered the intersection, the driver of the truck went into the intersection while the light was still red, according to the post. Police said later Saturday the driver was working with a GPS device and had believed the signal turned green, when in reality it was still red.

The vehicles collided, with the front end of the truck hitting the passenger side of the Yukon. According to the post, the Yukon careened of the Dodge Ram and hit the traffic light pole on the rear driver side.

The passenger sitting in the back seat on the driver’s side of the Yukon died due to injures sustained in the accident. Police have not identified the victim, but have said she is a 16-year-old girl.

The deceased was not wearing a seat belt.

Photo courtesy River Ackley “Gone too Soon” Fund via GoFundMe.

Loved ones gathered for a vigil at Pleasant Grove High School Saturday night, and they created a GoFundMe account called “River Ackley ‘Gone too Soon’ Fund” to help the family with expenses in the wake of the death.

Others involved in the crash were treated for moderate injuries.