Orem Police Deal With Unusual Phone Calls

After receiving two bizarre calls Wednesday, Orem police are asking, "Exactly how were you expecting us to help you?"

One woman called to report that she had e-mailed a nude photo of herself that was now being circulated on the Internet without her consent, and the other called to report that a University Mall security guard had assaulted her while she tried to flee after stealing jewelry.

An unidentified woman said she was distraught after she found out that the compromising photo she sent to a male Internet acquaintance found its way to her ex-husband and current employer.

The women adamantly told the police she had never told the Internet acquaintance where she worked. She was worried this man that she hardly knows could get such personal information about her.

Orem police said they were left to question why the woman sent the picture in the first place, and what they are supposed to do about it.

"Most folks I know would be concerned if anyone had naked pictures of them, whether they knew the person or not," said Lt. Douglas Edwards of the Orem Police Department.

The second women called Wednesday evening to report that a man at the mall assaulted her, accused her of stealing and then stole her purse.

The story was confirmed by security at the University Mall, but they told the story a little differently.

Police said a security guard spotted a woman putting jewelry in her purse and then leaving Macy's department store without paying.

When the security guard confronted the woman, she tried to escape and a fight broke out.

The security guard grabbed the suspect but let her go after being bitten and hit repeatedly with a shoe.

While the suspect made her escape, the security guard retained the purse that contained the stolen jewelry and the suspect's identification.

Orem police officers are now searching for the woman who was not found at her home in American Fork when police tried to contact her.