Cedar Rapids’ Christmas lights glow again after theft arrest

CEDAR RAPIDS — Christmas light displays in downtown Cedar Rapids, darkened when their power cords were stolen, will be turned back on now that an arrest has been made in the thefts, according to Nikki Wilcox, director of strategic development for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

Several power cords connected to holiday lights in Greene Square, in a MedQuarter pocket park along First Street SE and outside NewBo City Market were stolen during the first couple weeks of December. The cords in Greene Square and the MedQuarter were replaced once, but were stolen again.

Last Wednesday, Cedar Rapids police arrested Scott Alan Clark, 48, of Cedar Rapids in relation to the thefts. He was charged with three counts of fifth-degree theft, and one count each of criminal mischief and illegal possession of prescription drugs. Records show he pleaded guilty to the theft charges the next day.

City officials had been waiting for an arrest before paying to replace the cords for the downtown and MedQuarter displays in hopes they won’t be stolen a third time. Now that the arrest has been made, the lights will be turned back on.

A contractor was working Monday to replace the cords, with the plan to turn the lights back on again starting Monday night, according to Wilcox.

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