John Mangalonzo, The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa –
Jacob Daniel Cardwell just couldn’t help himself and sent a text message to another person indicating he was inside someone’s home taking a laptop computer and some prescription medication.
That seemed to have validated the arrest Tuesday of Cardwell, 29, of Columbus Junction, who is charged on a warrant for third-degree burglary.
Des Moines County Sheriff’s detectives started investigating the case in January after taking a report from a homeowner in the 14800 block of Washington Road.
Authorities said the owner was away from Jan. 6 to Jan. 10. When she returned, she found her laptop and some of her daughter’s prescription medication missing.
A friend told detectives she suspected Cardwell may have had something to do with the break-in, because he mentioned going to the home to retrieve some of his belongings.
It turned out the victim knew Cardwell, and the last time he was at the residence was New Year’s Eve.
So, the homeowner texted Cardwell, who reportedly messaged back he was able to get in because “the door was unlocked, and all the lights were on.”
However, detectives got the man’s phone records, which reportedly showed Cardwell texting another person, saying he was at the victim’s house, emphasizing he took the laptop and the medication.
