(Primghar)– O’Brien county authorities say four arrests have been made in connection with a burglary at the Sutherland Cargo-Express convenience store back in July of this year.
Authorities say an employee arriving for work observed the suspects running from the store.
Authorities say their investigation resulted in the arrests of 17-year-old Douglas Mackey and 17-year-old Matthew Sparks, both of Cherokee; 20-year-old Trevor Schwidder of Ankeny and 23-year-old Anthony Lucas of Sheldon.
Mackey and Schwidder are accused of stealing a car from a residence in Sutherland following the burglary and driving it to a campground northeast of Larrabbee where they were camping. Authorities say the suspects then drove the vehicle to the Little Sioux River in an attempt to dispose of it. It was towed out of the river the following day, after it was discovered by authorities.
Sparks and Mackey were charged with one count of burglary in the third degree; Mackey was additionally charged with one count of theft in the second degree in connection with the theft of the motor vehicle. Sparks and Mackey were issued juvenile referrals and released to the custody of their parents. They’ll make an appearance in juvenile court at a later date.
Schwidder was arrested August 26th in Des Moines on warrants charging him with burglary in the third degree and theft in the second degree. He is currently being held in the Polk county jail in Des Moines and will be returned to O’Brien county.
An arrest warrant was also issued for Lucas, charging him with burglary in the third degree. He turned himself in to the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office September 5th. He was booked into jail and was released September 7th after posting bond. He will also make an appearance at a later date in O’Brien County District Court.
The burglary and theft charges are both class “D” felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $7,500 fine.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.
