Cedar Rapids police make arrests in two separate car thefts

CEDAR RAPIDS — Police say they arrested two men Monday on separate stolen vehicle incidents.

According to a Cedar Rapids police news release, officers responded at about 11:40 a.m. Monday to Target West, 3400 Edgewood Road SW., for a report of a suspicious person in the parking lot. A witness reported the individual's license plate, which belonged to a car reported stolen out of Davenport Sunday.

Jeremiah R. Cruz, 18, of Rockford, Ill., was stopped shortly after on Edgewood Road SW.

He has been with second-degree theft and driving without a valid driver's license.

Also on Monday, police received a report that 26-year-old Tyler M. Brisbin, of Anamosa, was driving a stolen vehicle on 33rd Avenue SW near Wendy's.

An officer initiated a traffic stop, but Brisbin attempted to flee, driving through alleys and the nearby neighborhood — exceeding speed limits and running stop signs. He eventually tried to flee on foot, but was soon apprehended, police said.

Brisbin, who has multiple arrest warrants, faces a felony charge for eluding and charges for reckless driving, and driving while license under suspension, police said.

A passenger in the vehicle at the time, Kimberly S. Engelbart, 49, also was charged for possession of drug paraphernalia and providing false information to police.

l Comments: (319) 398-8309; mitchell.schmidt@thegazette.com