Iowa City Police arrest woman after string of burglaries

An Iowa City woman was arrested after police said she was involved in multiple burglaries where she stole items to trade for drugs.

After a string of residential burglaries in the last week, Lauren N. Craig, 30, was charged with a slew of burglary and drug charges after a residence on the 500 block of Iowa Ave., was burglarized on April 17 around 11:32 p.m. Police said Craig had stole items from the residence just days before, and returned wearing a hat and backpack that had been stolen from the residence. Police said officers were called to the area and Craig jumped into Ralston Creek and waded into into the large culvert beneath Washington and Van Buren streets. Officers were able to seal off any escape avenue and arrest Craig soon after, police said.

While police interviewed Craig, she admitted committing burglaries while looking for items, mainly laptop computers, which she could trade for crack-cocaine.

Police said Craig was also in possession of numerous identification cards and credit/debit cards issued to other persons. She also has a glass jar containing marijuana, two baggies containing marijuana, three glass smoking pipes, rolling paper, a digital scale and weight, and a Clonazepam prescription for another person.

Craig, of 419 S. Johnson St., Apt. B,  was charged with second-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, attempted burglary, controlled substance violation with intent to deliver – all felony offenses – along with prohibited acts, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with official acts.

Police said Craig is a suspect in additional on-going burglary investigations. More charges may be filed.