Man accused of stealing SUV from Iowa City homeless shelter

IOWA CITY - A Chicago man is accused of stealing a sport utility vehicle from a homeless shelter.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, the theft victim was warming up her SUV at the Shelter House, 429 Southgate Ave., around 11 p.m. Thursday. Police said security video footage shows 24-year-old Christopher J. Owens getting into the vehicle and driving east on Southgate Avenue. Owens is later seen coming back to the Shelter House on foot.

Owens was identified in the video both times by his Chicago Bears hat, which was also in his pocket when police spoke with him about the theft.

Police said Owens admitted to taking the SUV and told officers where they could find it. Police found the SUV on Cross Park Avenue.

Turned told police he wanted to use the car to drive home to Chicago. He was arrested and faces one county of second-degree theft, a Class D felony.