A late‑night break-in at a Brigham City home ended with a 39‑year‑old man in jail after police say he ignored a newly served protective order, walked into a house where a child was sleeping, and helped himself to food and alcohol before anyone woke up. Surveillance footage and court documents reviewed by local outlets indicate the man ate, drank, and removed a blanket from the sleeping child before startled residents confronted him. He was later tracked down with the help of a K‑9 unit and booked on burglary, protective‑order, and property‑damage allegations.
According to KUTV, deputies identified the suspect as 39‑year‑old Robert James Dudley. He was booked on suspicion of burglary of a dwelling, two counts of violating a protective order, and property damage under $500. KUTV reports deputies were first alerted after residents at a nearby house found an unknown man inside their home and later turned over video that investigators tied to Dudley.
Court documents reviewed by FOX 13 state that officers were initially called shortly after midnight to Dudley’s parents’ home, a property he had been ordered to avoid under a court‑issued protective order. His parents told officers he tapped on a kitchen window and removed a screen from his former bedroom before leaving. A witness who later drove him away called police after becoming concerned about his behavior, according to the filings.
Break‑In Captured On Home Surveillance
Residents at a second home later showed deputies surveillance video that allegedly captured Dudley coming through a back door at about 3:47 a.m., KUTV reports. The footage shows a man inside for more than an hour, drinking alcohol, eating food, and pulling a blanket off an 8‑year‑old child who was asleep on the couch before the homeowners finally confronted him, according to the outlet. Those details make up the backbone of the burglary allegation described in the court packet.
Police Response And Arrest
Officers were called back to the area near 300 South 300 West at about 4:54 a.m., where a K‑9 team eventually found Dudley hiding in a nearby backyard, per FOX 13. Victims told deputies a section of their fence had been broken, and investigators say Dudley was barred by the active protective order from being at one of the properties. FOX 13 reports he is currently being held without bail as the case moves through Box Elder County courts.
Charges And Next Steps
Court filings list burglary of a dwelling, two counts of violating a protective order, and property destruction under $500 among the allegations. Records also show a prior protective‑order conviction in 2023. Dudley remains in custody pending arraignment in Box Elder County.
