Area transient charged with theft of multiple items

Hunter
02/08/263

An Iowa City area transient was taken into custody on warrants stemming from an alleged burglary.

Police say 32-year-old Jeffrey Naughton made entry into a closed business on the 2400 block of South Scott Boulevard the morning of November 17th and stole multiple items from the business and a nearby locked out-building.  Investigators discovered that an inner door was kicked in, causing about $200 in damage to the door and frame.

Naughton was caught on the property the next night, allegedly attempting to retrieve items he had hidden along the property line.

Naughton was living in an RV, and a search warrant was obtained on the vehicle.  A deposit slip from the business that was broken into, cameras, and other items marked with the owners’ information were reportedly found. Some of the items were reported stolen in recent burglaries from other businesses.

Naughton was also allegedly found in possession of a full set of lock picks, and numerous keys.

A warrant was issued for Naughton’s arrest on February 3rd; he was taken into custody on Monday morning. He faces charges of 2nd degree Theft, 3rd degree Burglary, Possession of Burglar’s Tools, and 5th degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on all counts, Naughton could be sentenced to up to over 12 years in prison.