SAC COUNTY, IOWA – A Northern Iowa man has been arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of copper wiring.
Thursday February 24, 2022, the Sac County Sheriff’s Office took a second report from Morhs Concrete Sand and Gravel located at 3015 290th Street. An estimated twelve thousand dollars in large diameter copper wiring had been stolen. Around noon, on the 24th, security footage captured a 2011 Chevy truck coming on to their property. A person wearing ski mask, ski goggles, camouflage vest with an orange lining and gloves was captured on video. The video also captured the license plate number of the truck. Employees from Mohr’s believed the truck belonged to Kevin Tjaden from 2725 320th, Street and went to that residence. Employees located a pile of large diameter copper wire consistent with what had been stolen inside a machine shed. They notified law enforcement. Prior to deputies’ arrival, Kevin Tjaden came home and was confronted by the employees. Tjaden left the area and was stopped by sheriff’s deputies in Lake View. Tjaden’s black 2011 Chevy pick-up was seized and towed.
At 7:20PM, sheriff’s officials served a search warrant at 2725 320th Street, Lake View, IA in connection with the theft reported from Morhs. During the search, deputies seized some large diameter copper wiring that had the covering burned off. Deputies also seized clothing that was consistent with clothing the suspect was wearing during the theft earlier in the day as well as assorted drug paraphernalia. A search of the 2011 Chevy truck was done, and deputies located about a 3-foot section of large diameter wire that was consistent with the wire stolen earlier in the day. Additional clothing items that appear similar to those worn by the suspect was also found.
Kevin Tjaden was arrested and charged with theft 2nd degree -control or possession of stolen property a class “D” felony. Tjaden was able to post a five-thousand-dollar bond and was released from jail. This investigation continues.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Sac County Sheriff’s Office has responded to ten calls of copper wire being stolen with-in the last couple weeks in Sac County. About half of those between Sac City and Lake View. Many are abandoned properties or properties damaged by the December tornado. Thieves are taking household electrical wiring. Sheriff McClure urges citizens to report suspicious activity and vehicles. If you have a property that would be subject to copper wire theft, you are encouraged to put out trail cameras.
