Cedar Rapids man caught stealing vehicle for fifth time

Police this week arrested a Cedar Rapids man for stealing a car – his fifth stolen vehicle charge in the last few years.

Joshua D. McCool, 21, of 1051 29th Ave. SW, is charged with second-degree theft after police found him driving a woman's car early Wednesday morning in the 2000 block of Wiley Boulevard SW. The owner of the car had reported to police that someone broke into her home in the 3700 block of 16th Avenue SW on Jan. 13 or 14 and took her purse, which contained the car keys.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said police got a tip late Tuesday night that the car might be in the 3900 block of 20th Avenue SW. Officers performing surveillance saw McCool and Tina M. Kirkwood, 32, of Cedar Rapids, get into the car and drive away.

When police stopped the car, they found McCool in possession of the victim's credit cards and other personal items, according to a criminal complaint. Kirkwood was also taken to jail after officers found her with baggie containing marijuana residue, police said.

McCool has been convicted of operating a vehicle without the owner's consent four times since April 2007, including just three weeks ago, according to court records. In that incident, Cedar Rapids police saw McCool driving a stolen vehicle and he successfully eluded the officers, only to be found seven hours later at a downtown bar.

At the time of his arrest Wednesday, McCool had three warrants out for his arrest, including driving while barred, possession of a controlled substance and operating a vehicle without the owner's consent.

McCool remained at the Linn County Jail on Friday in lieu of $19,000 cash bond. Last July, the court allowed McCool to temporarily leave jail to look for a job, but he did not return. He was arrested three days later and subsequently convicted of escape.

A phone message left for McCool's attorney was not immediately returned.