Cedar Rapids man charged with overnight break-in at jewelry, video game stores

CEDAR RAPIDS - Police chased down and arrested a Cedar Rapids man accused of breaking into two businesses and smashing their windows in northeast Cedar Rapids overnight on Sunday.

Cedar Rapids police were called to Siebke Hoyt Jewelers, 4800 First Ave. NE, for a report of a break-in at around 12:20 a.m. on Sunday. Greg Buelow, spokesman for public safety in Cedar Rapids, said as officers were investigating the scene, an alarm was going off a few blocks away at Video Games Etc., 180 Collins Road NE. Marion police were investigating the break-in at the video game store at the time and engaged in a foot chase with the suspect after finding him leaving the front entrance of the store, he said.

The officers caught up to the suspect around Blairs Ferry Road NE and Northland Avenue NE. Police found a black drawstring bag containing the hammer used to strike the windows and cameras in Video Game Etc., Buelow said. The suspect also broke out a window at the jewelry store, he added.

Police charged Cardel Demetrius Redmond, 23, of Cedar Rapids, with two counts of attempted burglary-third degree for the break-ins at the two stores, possession of burglar's tools, interference with official acts for resisting arrest, and a warrant for failing to appear for revocation of probation for third-degree criminal mischief and fifth-degree theft.

l Comments: (319) 398-8310; brian.morelli@thegazette.com