Hunter
11/19/23
A Cedar Rapids developer who has a deal with the city to rehab an area of town damaged by the 2008 flood has been charged with stealing over $2,000 of goods from a home improvement store in Marion.
According to court documents, 39-year-old Eric Gutschmidt has been accused of committing a series of six separate thefts between March 5th and 7th at the Menards in Marion. Police say Gutschmidt took a total of 57 packages of vinyl floor planks and three packages of floor tiles valued at over $2300 without paying for them.
Gutschmidt was identified because he provided his name and phone number on a different order the day after the initial alleged theft.
The Gazette reports his business is working on “Rainbow Road” on M Street SW between 10th and 12th avenues in Cedar Rapids — a block where properties were destroyed by the 2008 flood. The City Council approved financial incentives in October and signed off Nov. 7 on a development agreement with Gutschmidt’s company. He also received American Rescue Act funds as part of the development deal.
A statement released by the City of Cedar Rapids said they will continue to keep an eye on the legal proceedings before taking any action. Gutschmidt was charged with 2nd degree theft and pleaded not guilty this week in court. His trial is set for April 2nd. If convicted, he faces up to five years in jail.