Coralville man arrested in connection with Iowa City thefts, burglaries

IOWA CITY - A Coralville man is accused of taking more than $12,000 worth of items from an Iowa City apartment complex over the course of several months.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, nine separate burglary and theft incidents occurred at the Eastbrook Flats Apartments, 3558 Eastbrook Drive, in Iowa City. Police said 18-year-old James E. Goods admitted to using a garage opener he had stolen from a vehicle to enter the underground parking lot.

Goods admitted taking items from vehicles parked in the garage, as well as mail packages that had been left in hallways, police said. Goods allegedly told police he sold most of the stolen items at consignment or pawnshops or online. In one incident on Jan. 22, Goods stole an Apple laptop valued at $2,000 and sold it to a pawnshop in Moline, Ill., police reported.

Police said five stolen items have been recovered and they have evidence connecting Goods to each item. Relying on admissions from Goods, as well as a co-defendant not identified in criminal complaints, police determined Goods stole approximately $12,341 worth of items.

Goods has been arrested and faces charges of first-degree theft, a Class C felony; and two counts of third-degree burglary - motor vehicle, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Goods also faces a fourth-degree criminal mischief charge stemming from a Feb. 10 incident in which he and other people were looking for a place to smoke marijuana. Police said Goods and a co-defendant attempted to enter the co-defendant's former home, but they key did not work. Goods and the other suspect damaged a rear door while trying to get in, police said.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com