This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers were still trying Friday to confirm the identities of two men arrested in a stolen semi-trailer rig full of shoes earlier this week in Box Elder County.
UHP Sgt. Todd Royce said the big rig, reported stolen out of Multnomah County in Oregon, was located by troopers on Monday at a Texaco truck stop in Elwood, Utah.
UHP investigators suspect the two males apprehended with the truck were in the country illegally, but attempts to identify them have proven difficult: neither of the men had documents to confirm who they were, and they have been vague in their answers to questions.
A warrant was obtained and the big rig and its cargo trailer were searched. Troopers found the trailer contained 5,800 pairs of shoes valued at $1 million.
UHP is working with federal immigration officials to confirm the identities of the suspects, but it is believed both have extensive criminal histories and had previously been deported after illegal entry to the United States.
Twitter: @remims