Waterloo couple allegedly stole $2,300 in merchandise from local stores

Items taken from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walgreens in Cedar Rapids

Jun. 8, 2021 6:04 pm, Updated: Jun. 8, 2021 7:09 pm

Cedar Rapids Police Department cruiser photographed at the police department in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, May 16, 2019. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — Two people were arrested Monday night after police said they were caught stealing more than $1,300 worth of merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods in Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Rapids police said officers were called at 6:11 p.m. to Dick’s Sporting Goods at 4601 First Ave. SE.

Police said it was reported that two suspects — a man and a woman — had left the store with a shopping cart full of items worth about $1,395, loaded the items into a 1997 Chevrolet S10 truck and drove away.

It was later determined that the truck had been reported stolen out of Waterloo, police said.

Officers found the vehicle in the PetSmart parking lot at 4810 First Ave. NE.

The suspects were found inside Bed Bath & Beyond, located in the same strip mall as the pet store, and were detained, police said. Authorities said a key belonging to the truck was found in the male suspect’s possession.

Police said an additional $1,048 worth of merchandise stolen from Walgreens, at 2821 First Ave. SE, was found inside the stolen truck, including electronics, household cleaning items and makeup. Police said officers confirmed earlier in the afternoon that items had been stolen from Walgreens.

The male suspect was identified as Steven A. Esparza, 32, of Waterloo. He faces charges of second-degree theft and two counts of third-degree theft. Esparza also had outstanding warrants from the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office and Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office.

The woman — identified as Jessica N. Morris, 27, of Waterloo — faces two counts of third-degree theft.