Hunter
05/11/21
An Iowa City man wanted on previous vehicle burglary warrants was arrested Monday after being caught trying to break into multiple cars.
32-year-old Dustin Martin of Augusta Court is accused of breaking into a woman’s vehicle in the 300 block of Ellis Avenue the morning of April 5th. He reportedly stole her purse, which contained her ID and credit cards. He then used the cards at several Coralville stores, including Plato’s Closet, Almost Paradise and Hyvee. In total, Martin allegedly charged nearly $460 at the locations. Multiple officers who were familiar with Martin identified him on surveillance video using the cards, and he’d reportedly also been seen on video stealing items from various locations.
Martin was charged in that instance with 3rd degree Burglary second offense, Unauthorized use of a Credit Card, and 4th degree Theft.
The next warrants were issued on incidents that occurred on April 17th and 18th. On the 17th at approximately 1:30, Martin was allegedly outside a parking garage on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street, and went in when another vehicle left. He parked his vehicle, then went around the garage trying to open vehicle doors. He allegedly entered a red Jeep and stole the garage remote.
The next day, when officers were investigating the previous day’s alleged burglary, another report was taken. Surveillance shows Martin entering the lot just after 6am, gaining entrance to the garage after another vehicle left around 640am. He spent approximately three hours checking for open vehicle doors on both the first and second level of the garage before leaving.
On both days, Martin was driving a stolen Mercury Marquis that was recovered on April 22nd. Martin was charged with two counts of 3rd Degree Burglary.
Officers finally caught Martin Monday morning just after 7:30 at the Telluride parking garage on East Court Street. A resident there called in with a description of Martin and said that he was attempting to break into cars. Upon arrival, they found Martin, whose pockets were allegedly full of different wallets, a screw driver, a hatchet and many other items. He reportedly admitted to having a pipe on him, and a search turned up multiple glass pipes, baggies with white powder that Martin identified as meth and marijuana wax. He allegedly admitted to using the screwdriver and hatchet to burglarize the vehicles.
He was charged with 3rd degree Burglary, 3rd or subsequent possession of a controlled substance, possession of burglar’s tools, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
If convicted on charges from Monday and the previous warrants, Martin is looking at a maximum prison term of over 33 years.