Lang
7/4/21
Local police have arrested a pair of transients accused of stealing and trying to steal bicycles.
45-year-old Joseph Perry is accused of stealing two different bicycles on June 20th, 2015. The first incident occurred at the North Liberty Walgreen’s just before 2:30pm, when the victim reported going inside for about five minutes, then returned to find his bicycle gone from the bike rack. The owner estimated its value at $1,800, but told police he’d only paid $1,000 for it.
About two hours later, a second victim reported his bike stolen from a bike rack at Hospital Ramp 1 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. He said he’d paid about $800 for his bicycle.
Perry allegedly sold the two bicycles later that day at Money & More on South Riverside Drive, getting $200 for the bicycle taken from the North Liberty Walgreen’s.
Perry was tied to the thefts by surveillance video from Walgreen’s and Money & More, and the serial number from the bicycle stolen from the UIHC matched that of one of the bikes Perry sold to Money & More.
Perry is charged with 2nd Degree Theft and 3rd Degree Theft. If convicted on both counts, he faces a maximum of seven years in prison.
In an unrelated case, 49-year-old transient Roger Hunter is accused of trying to steal bicycles outside the Wig & Pen on the Coralville Strip just after 8:30am on June 19th. He left the scene when confronted by the reporting party, but was later found by Coralville Police. Officers say Hunter was in possession of a one-hitter, marijuana, items that were likely stolen, and bolt cutters. When asked if he’d been trying to break into places, Hunter reported told the arresting officer he was “on the right path”.
Hunter was booked into the Johnson County Jail just after 6pm Friday and charged with Possession of Burglar’s Tools. If convicted, he faces a maximum of two years in prison.