Iowa City man accused of robbery now suspected of theft

A 22-year-old Iowa City man arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery and prohibited acts of prescription drugs on Sunday was arrested again Tuesday, this time on suspicion of first-degree theft.

Reports indicate that Austin C. Guthmiller, of 3525 Shamrock Place, was one of two individuals identified as selling  jewelry allegedly taken from a residence at 4833 Dryden Ct. during a party.

The home owner reported that he had left town for a few days, left his adult daughter at home and returned to find several pieces of jewelry missing. The missing items were valued at approximately $10,000, police said.

On July 12 the stolen items were located at Herteen and Stocker Jewelers in Iowa City. Store surveillance cameras allegedly showed that Guthmiller and a transient man, Eric M. Cole, 20, had sold the jewelry to the store on July 4 and July 9.

Guthmiller's ID was scanned and copied when the transactions occurred. The man's daughter stated that Guthmiller was in the house during a party she held while her parents were away.

According to police reports, Cole was connected to the Dryden Court residence because he had been allowed to stay at the home in the past.

Both Guthmiller and Cole face charges of first-degree theft. They were each being held at the Johnson County Jail on Wednesday morning. Guthmiller's $26,000 bond has been increased to $36,000. Cole is being held on a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

It is not believed that this incident is related to the alleged robbery that occurred on Sunday.