Clinton man claiming to sell TV in Coralville found with burglar’s tools, drugs

CORALVILLE - A man going door to door in Coralville, claiming he had a TV to sell, was instead found to have burglar's tools and drugs.

According to Coralville police criminal complaints, around 6 a.m. April 29, police took two complaints of a man knocking on doors and trying to sell the residents a TV. Officers responded and found the man, identified as 27-year-old Jason H. Combs, in the 600 block of Sixth Avenue.

Police said as officers approached Combs, he dumped several tools from his lunch box and tried to kick them into a nearby driveway. Combs had several screwdrivers, a tool for breaking windows, a hammer, pocket knife, a machete, a wooden dugout containing marijuana and several other items on him, police said.

Combs initially told the officers he was coming from a job site, but police said his direction of travel indicated he was lying. He also told police he was trying to sell guitar lessons, which is why he was knocking on doors.

Police said Combs did not have a guitar or TV on him.

Later that day, a resident in the 700 block of Fifth Avenue reported several items - valued at $800 - were stolen from their home. Police said items taken from Combs matched the resident's stolen belongings.

Combs 'admitted to entering a house that he thought was abandoned (and) taking said items out of the house,” court documents state.

Police said Combs admitted to knocking on the victim's door and entering the residence when no one answered.

Combs was arrested and faces charges of third-degree burglary, third-degree theft, possession of burglar's tools, carrying weapons, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The offenses range from a simple misdemeanor to a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.