Hunter
01/31/20
A third suspect has been arrested for his part in a scheme to steal about $1900 in merchandise from the Iowa City Menards.
37-year-old Timothy Messier of Sandusky Drive in Iowa City reportedly conspired with 39-year-old Mackenzie Kile of Coralville, 51-year-old Terry Lee Griffin, also of Sandusky Drive, and a yet-to-be identified suspect during the incident, which occurred February 19th of last year.
Police say the four entered the store between 7 and 8pm. Surveillance video shows them loading up items in multiple carts throughout the store. The video shows each of the four concealing their cart with merchandise in the back of the store and leaving without making a purchase.
Later that night at approximately 11:50, after Menard’s had already closed, a group of subjects enter the back of the store, and are inside for about four minutes before returning with the concealed carts, containing approximately $1900 in merchandise.
Messier is also accused of burglarizing the Clean Laundry location on Highway 1 West sometime between September 2nd and 5th last year. Officers investigating the scene determined that Messier made entry through a vacant building next door by cutting through drywall. Once inside, Messier is accused of damaging approximately $4000 in items. Blood and other physical evidence from the scene reportedly tied Messier to the crimes.
Messier was taken into custody Thursday morning and charged with two counts each of second-degree theft and third-degree burglary. If convicted on all charges, Messier could be sentenced to up to twenty years in prison.