John Mangalonzo, The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa –
Authorities said a Columbus Junction man sent a text message to another person, indicating he was inside someone’s home taking a laptop computer and some prescription medication.
Jacob Daniel Cardwell, 29, will go to trial on one count of third-degree burglary June 5. A pretrial conference in the case is slated for May 14.
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 came back, she found her laptop and some of her daughter’s prescription medication missing.
A friend of the owner’s told detectives of her suspicion Cardwell may have something to do with the break-in, because the man 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, and it reportedly showed Cardwell texting another person, saying he was at the victim’s house, emphasizing he took the laptop and the medication.
