(Emmetsburg)—Authorities say recent burglaries at businesses in Ruthven, Dickens, Gillett Grove and Laurens are related, and that two arrests have been made in their investigation, which is ongoing.
Cash, liquor, cigarettes, firearms, lottery tickets and a neon sign were stolen.
The Palo Alto and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the Laurens Police Department, discovered the burglaries were related after comparing crime scene evidence.
Authorities say they got their big break in the investigation on October 16th when several businesses in Laurens were broken into. Police had also noticed a suspicious vehicle in town that night.
After conducting interviews with several individuals, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office yesterday (Sun.) executed a search warrant at 1303 Doon Street in Ayrshire. Several items taken in the various burglaries were recovered, including some firearms…one of which was loaded. It was found in a bedroom. Stolen lottery tickets were also recovered.
Arrested at the scene was 18-year-old Brandon Priester of Ayrshire. He was charged with three counts of burglary in Palo Alto county, three counts of burglary in Clay county and four counts of burglary in Laurens. He’s being held in the Palo Alto county jail pending an initial court appearance.
As a result of that search, authorities say they were able to obtain additional information that led them to a residence at 4080 290th Avenue in Clay county. Authorities say a consent search of that location resulted in additional items being recovered from the various burglaries, including more firearms, the neon sign and lottery tickets.
16-year-old Nicholas Tomason of Dickens was charged with three counts of burglary by the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office; three counts of burglary by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and four counts of burglary by the Laurens Police Department. He was transported to the Youth Emergency Services Center in Cherokee.
Authorities say their investigation continues and possible charges by the Iowa Lottery are pending.
