Lang
6/29/23
Iowa City Police have arrested a Solon man they say was wanted for over $1,600 in thefts from Menards.
51-year-old Jason Roling was taken into custody just after 10:15 Sunday night after a reported shoplifting incident at Kwik Star on Keokuk Street. Kwik Star staff say Roling shoplifted over $43 in merchandise just after 4:45 Sunday afternoon.
Roling was wanted for four separate thefts from Menards on Naples Avenue. The thefts occurred between May 25th and June 5th, with Roling allegedly taking a total of $1,654.26 in merchandise. Police say Roling would stage items inside the store before later picking them up in his vehicle. Or he would put items in Menards shopping bags and just walk out the front door.
Video from the Menard’s incidents reportedly shows Roling wearing the same clothing as he was wearing during the Kwik Star theft. Videos from all five thefts allegedly show Roling driving away from the scenes despite his licence being barred.
Police arriving at Roling’s Dillons Furrow Road residence claim to have seen a flagpole kit that was reported stolen from Menards. Residents at the scene reportedly told police Roling had given it to them. Menards staff confirmed the kit was the one stolen from their store.
Roling is charged with two counts of 3rd Degree Theft, one count of 2nd Degree Theft and five counts of Driving While Barred. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 19 years in prison.
Roling has previous theft cases still pending, including one from a May incident at the Bread Garden Market in which he allegedly opened and drank from several wine bottles and ate food without paying, later telling police he was conducting a personal “wine tasting”.