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'Lebowski'-Like Homework Left Behind by Burglary Suspect

By Andrew Chow, Esq. on May 15, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

This is what happens when you punch a stranger in the face -- and then leave your homework behind at the scene of the crime.

Police in Orem, Utah, arrested Dallas Naljahih, 18, for allegedly breaking into an elderly man's home and punching the man in the face before running away, Salt Lake City's KSL News reports.

The alleged burglar's carelessness apparently led to his arrest, as he left his backpack behind in the victim's lawn. In a twist reminiscent of the movie "The Big Lebowski," the backpack contained a USB flash drive with Naljahih's homework assignments and -- more importantly -- his name, police said.

The alleged burglary and assault took place early Saturday morning. The 75-year-old victim told KSL he woke up around 4 a.m. "as old men do," and noticed a light was on in the den.

The victim confronted the burglar, who lashed out violently. "[H]e hit me in the eye, broke my glasses," the victim told KSL. "Then he hit me a second one right there in the eye too."

The burglar ran off, and the victim called police. Officers found the incriminating backpack with the digital homework files, and tracked down Dallas Naljahih a short time later, KSL reports.

Police found Naljahih asleep on a couch with a stolen camera from the victim's home. Naljahih was apparently drunk, police said.

Dallas Naljahih faces charges of theft, assault, and burglary, KSL reports. Assault and theft are misdemeanors under Utah law -- but a residential burglary is a second-degree felony. If convicted of burglary alone, Naljahih could face a possible 15-year prison sentence and up to a $10,000 fine.

Chances are alleged burglar Dallas Naljahih won't get the maximum. But as "The Dude" from "The Big Lebowski" might point out, his aggression will not stand, man.

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