Change machine-yanking scheme lands Marion man behind bars

Steven Roloson has been picking up spare change for the past six months - by yanking bill-changing machines off the walls of car washes with his pickup, according to court documents.

"He was hooking his truck to them and pulling them out of the wall," said Marion Police Lt. Scott Elam.

Roloson, 37, was charged Wednesday with first-degree criminal mischief, three counts of second-degree criminal mischief, and four counts of second-degree theft in connection with incidents dating to last December.

The complaint against Roloson details three incidents in Cedar Rapids and Marion, but his scheme started to unravel when a security camera caught him pulling the same scheme at a Mount Vernon car wash May 28.

"Officers were able to get clear video of his pickup truck, his plates, and his face," said Mount Vernon Police Chief Mark Winder.

Roloson had lived in Mount Vernon but moved recently to 261 Larick Dr., Marion. Winder called Marion and Cedar Rapids police, who had taken reports on similar incidents. That was enough to get a warrant to search Roloson's home Tuesday, turning up evidence linking him to the incidents.

"We communicate well, and it's good to have area agencies that work together," said Winder.

The first incident listed in the complaint happened last Dec. 17 at the Blue Lagoon Car Wash, 288 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE. Roloson's method caused more than $1,000 damage, resulting in one count of second-degree criminal mischief.

Roloson returned to the scene June 3, again causing more than $1,000 damage and taking the change machine, worth $3,800 and containing about $4,000 cash.

On Christmas Eve, Roloson hit the car wash at 5495 Hwy. 151 in Marion, causing about $17,000 damage, good for the first-degree criminal mischief charge. He took about $1,500 from the machine, bringing a second-degree theft count.

On March 23, Roloson did more than $1,000 damage and took a change machine worth $6,100 from the car wash at 4455 Commercial Ave., Marion. The machine contained about $30 in  cash and coins, according to the complaint.

"The damage that's done is far going to outweigh the money he's got," said Elam. "Not to mention what it does to your truck."

Rolson remains in the Linn County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.