OREM, Utah – Alexander Cedillo Herrera, 35, is facing multiple felony charges after stealing credit cards from the Orem Utah Temple and using them to make fraudulent purchases worth thousands of dollars. Herrera has been charged with burglary, theft/deception, unlawful acquisition/possession/transfer of financial cards, and unlawful use of a financial card—all third-degree felonies.
The investigation began after a victim contacted the Orem Police Department on December 30, reporting fraudulent charges on his credit card. The victim, who worked at the Orem Temple, explained that he had not used the card often and was unaware of the charges until recently. The charges were disputed, and the victim’s account was refunded.
Bank statements revealed multiple fraudulent transactions, including a $2,147.93 purchase at the Apple Store in Murray and a $1.60 charge at the Maverick Gas Station in Orem. The victim referenced a recent article warning the public that credit cards had been stolen from the Orem Temple, and suspected he was a target due to his connection to the temple.
LDS Temples, including the Orem location, are typically not accessible to the public without a Temple Recommend, a privilege card required for entry. Herrera was not a temple worker, making his unauthorized access to the workers’ locker room a significant point in the investigation.
The officer investigating the case, who was also leading the probe into the Orem temple thefts, identified Herrera as a suspect. It was discovered that Herrera used the stolen cards to make purchases at various locations, including Best Buy, Target, and several Maverick Gas Stations, as well as the Apple Store.
Further investigation included obtaining surveillance footage from the Maverick Gas Station, where Herrera’s image was confirmed in connection with the fraudulent transaction.
Herrera was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail on charges related to the theft and fraudulent use of credit cards.
