Hunter
12/21/23
An Iowa City area transient allegedly told police that the backpack he stole had been stolen from him earlier.
According to the incident report, 43-year-old Lucas Penner unlawfully entered an apartment on Cross Park Avenue the evening of December 1st and stole a backpack. No one was at the residence when Penner reportedly performed the burglary, and left immediately afterwards.
The incident was captured on surveillance video, and police located Penner on December 5th. He allegedly admitted to stealing the backpack, but stated it had been stolen from him while he was at Shelter House. He was advised that he would be charged for the offense.
A warrant was granted on December 7th, and Penner was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon. He was charged with 3rd degree Burglary, a Class D Felony punishable by a prison term of up to five years if convicted.