Hunter
07/27/23
A Quad City area man who allegedly participated in a Downtown Iowa City burglary over seven years ago has been arrested.
Police say now-31-year-old Michael Price joined Rashal Pendelton and an unidentified third man when they entered Brothers Bar & Grill through an unlocked back door after bar close on December 6th, 2015. Video surveillance shows the three stealing four backpacks that belonged to bar employees. They then left the scene, only to return minutes later. That time, they were confronted by an employee who told them to leave. Once they were outside, they allegedly took credit cards from the backpacks and discarded the backpacks in a trash can.
At 3:50 am, Price and the other two individuals were seen on surveillance video at Walmart in Davenport. Price reportedly tried to use one of the cards to purchase an Xbox worth over $500. The attempt was unsuccessful; however, Pendelton went next with a different card and was able to purchase the Xbox.
Bettendorf Police identified Price and interviewed him. They say he was generally dishonest about his involvement in the crimes, but admitted to being in Iowa City at the time of the burglaries. Price accused his two accomplices of stealing. He also allegedly admitted to using the credit card to attempt the Xbox purchase but claimed that someone handed him the card and told him to do so. He also reportedly claimed he was unaware of the card’s status.
A warrant was issued for Price’s arrest on June 24th, 2016. Court records indicate Price appeared Tuesday before Judge Deborah Minot and had a public defender appointed. He posted bond and was released.
Price faces charges of 2nd degree Burglary and Identity Theft; if convicted on both charges, Price could be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison.