‘Spiked Boulder’: Dangerous Booby Traps Found on Popular Utah Trail
- Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:17am by
Scott Baker
- Print »
- Email »
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A deadly booby trap rigged along a popular Utah trail could have killed someone if they had tripped a ground wire set up to send a 20-pound, spiked boulder swinging into an unsuspecting hiker, authorities said Monday.
Another trap was designed to trip a passer-by into a bed of sharpened wooden stakes.
Two men arrested over the weekend on suspicion of misdemeanor reckless endangerment told authorities the traps were intended for wildlife, but investigators didn’t believe the story.
“This is a shelter put together by people, visited by people — anything that would be impacted by their device would have to be humans,” Utah County sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon said. “It took some time to build these traps. They took rope, heavy-duty fishing line, and they intended what the traps were going to do.”
The booby traps were set at entrances to an elaborate dead-wood shelter built by the suspects that could have caught the attention of children, Cannon said.
The structure was easy to see, but the booby traps could have been overlooked by everyone except a military-trained officer like James Schoeffler of the U.S. Forest Service, who was on a routine patrol along Big Springs Trail last week when he noticed the trip wires.
Schoeffler was trained in hazardous device detection.
“A lot of people go up there after dark, as well,” Cannon said. “We’re very, very fortunate that it was Officer Schoeffler who found it.”
Schoeffler didn’t return a telephone message from The Associated Press. Authorities said he disabled the traps after taking photos and video of the site.
The area is located in Provo Canyon, a popular hiking spot a few miles from downtown Provo. Cannon said the traps were just a half-mile from a busy trailhead.
“Who goes up this trail thinking, I’m going to have to look out for booby traps?” Cannon said. “A kid could say, Oh cool, a shelter, and run right across the trip line.”
Authorities said a tipster alerted them about comments on Facebook that mentioned the traps and the shelter. Detectives then tracked down the suspects, Cannon said.
Benjamin Steven Rutkowski, 19, of Orem and Kai Matthew Christensen, 21, of Provo were booked in the Utah County Jail on Saturday and released on bail.
Prosecutors believed the misdemeanor reckless endangerment allegations were the strongest claims they could pursue without anyone being injured. Charges have not yet been filed.
Rutkowski’s father, Steven, declined comment. No phone number was listed for Christensen, and it wasn’t immediately clear if either suspect had an attorney.
___
Associated Press writer Brian Skoloff contributed to this report.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 678 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 530 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 423 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 373 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 329 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 275 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 283 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 165 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 275 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (74)
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 8:10am.
Report Post »What a waste of good breathing air……………
joekoets
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 8:09amIt’s good they list their names. Should be easy to locate them by teh White Brotherhood and teach them a lesson in a kinder gentlier humanity.
Report Post »recoveringneocon
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 8:18amThis looks like an Act of Terror to me. I sure hope there is a full investigation by the Dept. of Home Land Security. I’m sure we will hear from Allen West and how the “Muslim Brotherhood” influenced these to misguided Americans and how we need more Laws like NDAA…….. or Maybe these 2 idiots just got done watching “Jörg Sprave” here on The Blaze. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/ever-wanted-to-know-how-to-turn-office-supplies-into-mini-weapons/
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:07am.
Report Post »What a waste of good breathing air……………
teamarcheson
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:45amWhat a fantastic idea. It was legal to use these kinds of traps in Vietnam to injure US Troops. These traps are used to catch wild boar for food. Why would hungry people get arrested for trying to get food?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:13pm@TEA
Report Post »It does remind me of Viet Nam! The world is a dangerous place… and people should always keep their eyes open!
ccarving
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:00pm@teamarcheson Wild boar?? In Provo canyon?? Yeah, right.
Report Post »80mesh
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:18amthats nothing compared to what the BLM and “forest circus” is doing to our access to the public lands. they bobby trap trails then arrest you for removing the danger
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 9:48amThese two dudes look like Leftist Liberals. I’ll “legally” wager that they are Obama supporters and may have even have voted in the last election several times.
Report Post »BenKatz
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:06pmBrilliant deducing Teamarcheson!
Report Post »jackbauer2012
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:16amI think that Benjamin Steven Rutkowski may have an IQ below 70. The dork smiling like it’s school picture day.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:15pmBooby… comes from the Bobo… meaning Stupid. And, one was considered to be Stupid… if caught by a Booby Trap! Hence, Booby was applied to a Woman’s Breasts!
Report Post »swkimbl
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:10amhas anyone noticed the the spikes on the ground were what appears to be the five point of a pentegram, and what is the meaning of the unsharpend stick in the center?
Report Post »Bro. Chuck
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:10pmmay have been the first implement to “smear” dung onto before they figured out another method besides “insertion”…..
notice a few of the “spikes” are discolored likewise….
a GOOD prosecutor would take that and do a DNA test – if it were one of the perp’s “material”?
they could raise the charges right there to attempted manslaughter…..
who uses dung covered spikes to deal with critters?
on a spiritual note…..
we’re seeing the “vulnerability” of the idjits to the satanic influence more and more these days.
when you consider that demonic forces are flailing about trying to claim “warriors” for their cause, it is evident that they are reaching many.
people are glaringly ignorant of Creator and His Dominion over all of Creation. For these two to even cross that line and “think” they could do what they planned…. shows there is an absence. it is written that in times there will be a lack of understanding… each will follow the desires in his own heart. How cool to hurt and maim people and watch them suffer…. maybe they will get written on the internet…
oh the fame…
the Glory….
we will pray for you….
you and others who do not know “better” and allow yourselves to be overtaken and compelled in your thoughts & actions….
Father, watch over the innocents and keep these evildoers from their plans…
In Yeshua’s name we humbly ask….
Be Bless’d
Bro. Chuck
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:07amMorons. Nice ears Kai.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:56amShould have had these “ dudes ” ( duds ) sort of ” test ‘ the tripwires just to make sure those devices really worked. What a couple of idiots. Too bad their actions were not felonies – now they will be able to vote for Obama again. [ You see, with all of the Democrat voter fraud they could vote multiple times at ANY age - no picture I.D. needed. ] Book ‘em Danno and Hang ’em High !
Report Post »TJeff2112
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:51amThe prosecutors must be related to these kids. They could easily heap charge after charge on these fools.
Report Post »Ramv36
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:06amExactly, I’d think they could easily assert the malice aforethought required for attempted murder. This whole incident really bothers me personally as I hit the trails all over my native Missouri, and lot’s of those trails are hiked by families. If you hike trails that families use, something you may notice it that younger kids love running ahead of their parents. I can’t shake the image I keep imagining of hiking the trail and seeing a family ahead of me having a great time, then seeing that spike ball hit one of their kids right in front of us. It’s absolutely sickening to think about why damage these idiots could have caused, and on public land no less.
Report Post »ComradeAdam
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:48amI hope the get hit with something like attempted murder and terrorism. When they placed deadly traps next to a hiking trail the intent was obviously murder or serious bodily harm.
Report Post »ASE
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 5:23amNow there’s two idjits that need a SERIOUS beatdown!!
Report Post »BlueStarMom
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 4:55amSo Ted Nugent grazed an unlicensed BEAR with an arrow in Alaska & got probation, a high fine, banned from hunting, a criminal record which affects his right to vote & carry a gun, subjected to the scorn of the Obama Media, etc. These guys intended to harm/kill a HUMAN BEING FOR FUN & they get charged with the equivalent of tagging & let out on probation. Gee, nobody on probation would ever go out in the woods & make another booby trap, would they? They should have been hospitalized for evaluation of their sanity & declared a danger to themselves & others. What in the hell is the difference between what they did & sitting there with a rifle waiting to shoot the next hiker? None. None at all.
Report Post »ShadowNglasS
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:07pmVery well stated BLUESTARMOM ! I bet your hubby and children are proud of you..
You have explained what is really going on here in easy to understand words, and got to the core problem and issue eloquently IMHO.
The difference is these two Useful Idiots more than likely are Animal Rights, and Environmentalist Wacko’s, young brainwashed leftist.
Mr. Nugent on the other hand is a conservative who uses his second amendment rights, speaks glowingly of his wife, bragging she is the only love interest in his life, openly states any game he takes ends up on the dinner table. He has also been a roll model to help keep kids away from dangerous hard drugs. He clearly states he has never taken an illegal drug.
Mr. Nugent has enraged the radical left by having the audacity to secure a licensed to carry permit, and legally own a firearm for self defense, on his person at all times.
He has openly stated how worried he has become in the last three and a half years, with this runaway downward spiral, and how many God given rights we as Americans are losing everyday.
He has also stated in the past few months, that he is extremely worried about his children, and grand children’s future.
I have the same worries Mr. Nugent has.
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 4:19pmGood post. Sign of the times unfortunately.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:24amWe may need to come up with a new law: Simple Possession of Demons
Report Post »Grillmark55
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:13amOr being a dumbass.
Report Post »My guess – purely based on conjecture – is that they play a lot of video games and have no idea that video/computer games and real life are two completely different things.
this1can
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:55amthey built a elaborate dead wood shelter to draw attention away from the bobby traps. these two jacks offs had intentions of harming someone and then advertising it on facebook oh so proud. spank their hands. Love/Pray
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:13amlooks like a nice place for a Obama vacation
Report Post »kidsister
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:55amLet’s be real !! These guys (MEN), were out to HURT somebody bad !! Don‘t punish ’em, HURT ‘em somehow !! Their parents need to spend the rest of their lives paying a serious monthly fine towards the upkeep of that park and trail !! Can you imagine what would have happened if a family with a child had been damaged !! Can you imagine…….That park and community would be ruined forever, the innocence and trust complete gone and all because two ******** wanted to have a laugh. Hurt them and their parents for a long time, their guilt is EQUAL. Again,….Let’s get real.
Report Post »Conservative Voice
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:26amnot sure why you are bring in their parents, they are adults
Report Post »PaxInVeritate
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:12amTheir parents? As you stated they are “Men”, so their parents do not have any responsibility for these yahoos actions.
Report Post »Eleutheria
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:18amI can’t tell you what would have happened to these men had anyone in my family been harmed by their traps.
The details are too graphic to put into words, but it would be violent.
Report Post »v15
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 4:08am@kidsister, you are too extreme! Hurt them & their parents for the rest of their lives?!? I’m not condoning what they did; however, I hope you never get called for jury duty or basically you have any kind of power. Are you a parent? If so, do you beat your kids??
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:47amI can’t tell… which one is jzs and which one is timmy? Both look crazy as he11.
Report Post »Teufel Hunden
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:25amThe prosecutor is an effing coward! Attempted murder minimum!
Report Post »PaxInVeritate
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:27amThat would require someone to have actually set and be struck or stumble on one of the traps.
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 10:33amRight on
Report Post »Quagaar Warrior
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:24am~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report Post »Let’s send Orrin Hatch out onto that trail to search for more traps. Maybe, “We the People”, will get lucky and he’ll find at least one more!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quagaar Warrior
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:09am~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report Post »Released on bail?
HELLO, ANYBODY HOME?
I hope the judge that released them on bail hikes that trail from now on!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
decendentof56
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:21am50+ yrs of Communist undermining of our culture and this is wha you get. Follow the US Constitution, the rule of law, and you have 1-100th of this crap going on.
Here‘s a few of the Communists’ objectives from the Congressional record of 1-10-63:
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.”
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious crutch.”
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:24amBlindfold them and set them out to hike their own trail! And, repeat the process until they each have the good fortune to trip one of their own traps!
Report Post »marine249
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:47amWOW what a pair, Dumb azz and just plain azz *****
Report Post »marine249
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:54amBLAZE thanks for cleaning it up +++++++
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:01amThere’s the ear thing …..Again….. More proof ….It’s a sign of mental illness …
Report Post »lassiegirldawn
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:46amSome body should stick one up those little punks a s s.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:45amThey should be tried for attempted murder. Two psychopaths. They need to be kept in jail. They will only learn to be more careful not to get caught nex time. There will be a next time. Someone who would do this is without a conscious.
Report Post »PaxInVeritate
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 3:37amThat would require someone to actually set off and be struck by or stumble upon one of the traps.
Report Post »TJeff2112
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:45amThe officer should have set off one of the traps. Then they could have gone for attempted murder.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:40amlol the dude in the second pic looks like he has v a g i n a s attached to his earlobes
what a loser
Report Post »FlushTheLibs
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:31amWhat a couple of Dumb A’s. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Someone could have been killed! This should be a lot stiffer than a Class A Misdemeanor. The punishment should deter the crime. These guys need therapy, probably at the State Mental Hospital in Provo.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:37amThe eyes of both
Report Post »and the ears of one
……appear to be just ‘a bit’ –off.
lumahaimike
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:26amDid they look for pot farm.Idiots used to booby trap pot farms on Kauai Hi.Wires for helicopters. 30yrs ago.
Report Post »Ramv36
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:16amYou have a great point there. The fastest growing trend in illicit growing is to do it on public-use or federal land, as this makes it more difficult to prove ownership of the crop. And many of those illicit growers booby-trap the approaches to those crops.
Report Post »It’s entirely possible that if they swept the area further off the trail they might find a pot crop, or a still, and probably more traps.
Whatever happened to getting a job or starting a business instead of wiling away the hours inventing new ways to hurt people for little to no reason?
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:24amI hope when the day comes for them to face justice, it will be delivered swiftly and without mercy due to the mayhem they planned here. This is deliberate and calculated actions on their parts; and if it turns out, by real or alleged means, that they are connected with some radical or extrmeist group of lunatics – the admin will be all over the case to justify any actions against the people of America.
This mess will not end well if Obama decides to use it for his advantage.
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 12:56amTHey weren’t SO dumb. They made sure they didn’t have to go on the Lam for years. Just go out and do something illegal then brag about it on Facebook. All problems solved.
Report Post »