Need a Hand with That? Wal-Mart Employees Help Load Stolen 70-inch Television into Vehicle

A North Liberty man was booked into the Johnson County Jail on multiple charges yesterday including theft, burglary, and forgery after he allegedly stole an expensive television and construction tools.

According to Coralville Police complaints, on June 18, Jonathan Charles Jones, 42, of North Liberty was at the Coralville Wal-Mart receiving assistance purchasing a 70-inch Vizio television. Jones allegedly told the employees that he was buying the television with money left over from a loan.

When the television reached the register, Jones was allegedly presented with the UPC code but he did not sign for the television or pay for it. Other Wal-Mart employees, who were under the impression that he had already paid for it, then helped him take the television and load it into his car.

The next morning, Jones is accused of breaking into a construction trailer at 2840 High Bluff in order to steal construction tools from within. A search of Jones' residence on June 20 allegedly revealed a Dewalt Cordless drill and batteries labeled as being owned by McComes Lacina Construction that had gone missing in another theft reported to the Iowa City Police back in May.

The search also revealed construction tools valued at over $1,000 stolen from a construction trailer, according to the complaint. Jones allegedly admitted to breaking into the trailer in order to steal the tools.

Jones was booked into the Johnson County Jail and charged with fourth-degree theft, a serious misdemeanor; second-degree theft, a Class D felony; forgery, a Class D felony; and two counts of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony. He remains in the Johnson County Jail on $32,500 bail.