Surveillance footage leads to arrest of Cedar Rapids man

CEDAR RAPIDS - Surveillance footage helped police nab a man accused of breaking into several cars last month.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said four vehicles parked in the 900 block of 10th Street SE had windows broken out in the early morning hours of Feb. 28. Three of those vehicles were entered, Buelow said.

Investigators were able to get surveillance footage that led them to Roy E. Morarie, 18.

'This is a great example of quality surveillance footage that helped lead to an arrest,” Buelow said.

Morarie was arrested Friday on three counts of third-degree burglary and one count of second-degree criminal mischief. When he was arrested, police found him carrying marijuana and a metal pipe, leading to additional charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Buelow asked citizens to report suspicious behavior to the police and to contact the police if they have surveillance footage of people in parking lot areas acting suspiciously. He also reminded people to lock their vehicles, as some thefts in the area have involved unlocked cars.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com