Preston man who allegedly stole money and kidnapped someone awaits court hearing

PRESTON – Preston police arrested a man who allegedly stole money from a local business in 2023 and kidnapped another man while fleeing to Utah.

Edward Owen Butterfield, 24, was charged with felony burglary and felony second-degree kidnapping.

PPD was dispatched to a business due to a theft on April 30, 2023, according to court documents.

Court records say the officer arrived and spoke with an employee, Butterfield’s mom, who said Butterfield had stolen $833 from the safe an hour earlier.

The mom told the officer the 24-year-old man had packed his things and moved out of the home because he was quitting. Butterfield’s brother also spoke with the police, telling them his brother had been at the store.

The brother said that when the store got busy, Butterfield went into the back and took a money bag out of the safe.

The officer asked to see the security camera footage, but was informed the camera hadn’t worked for some time.

The officer asked the brother about Butterfield’s whereabouts and was told Edward was staying with a girl and her brother in Logan, Utah. He did not know their address.

Edward’s mom said the same thing.

In court documents, police say Edward didn’t have cell service, so there was no way to get in contact. He was on probation, and police contacted his probation officer about the situation.

At around 10 p.m., a man in South Jordan, Utah, reported that Edward had kidnapped him after robbing a store in Preston.

The officer contacted the victim and was told Edward had stayed at his home the day before the robbery. Edward and the victim’s sister had recently met.

The victim told the officer he was in Preston to help Edward get his belongings, and they had gone to the store to pick up a radio. Edward allegedly pulled out a blue envelope from his hoodie after taking off. Edward told him he had “just robbed (the store),” according to court records, “and if you tell anyone, I will shoot you in the face.”

Edward ordered him to count the money, but the man was too nervous and was forced to throw the envelope out the window near Interstate 15 on the way to Ogden.

They reportedly stopped at a store in Franklin and Edward ordered him to follow him inside.

When they left Idaho, court documents say Edward had gotten lost in Ogden and had the man pull up directions to Nevada. Edward wanted to go there or California. There wasn’t a specific plan.

Edward, the victim said in court records, said he’d plan to go to Japan because he’d grown up there and was planning on buying a plane ticket.

The victim told the officer he had pulled up directions to Salt Lake City instead, as he knew the area.

Once in Salt Lake City, the pair reached a stop sign. The victim jumped out, telling the officer he ran as fast as he could and called the cops.

The victim warned the officer that Edward had a .22 caliber and a 9mm gun.

“He has hit rock bottom and is willing to go down,” the victim told police.

The officer asked the victim if Edward would shoot at police. The victim said “he isn’t going away for this, and they are never going to catch (him).”

When asked if he did see any of the guns Edward claimed to have, the victim said he did not but was told he had guns in the vehicle a day before the robbery.

Edward’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12 at 3 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Eric Hunn. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in jail.

Though Edward has been charged with these crimes, it not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.