Iowa City police wary of burglary increases during winter break

An attempted burglary was thwarted when a victim chased the subjects out of his Iowa City apartment -- one of several burglaries, attempted burglaries and vehicle break-ins reported this month.

According to a news release, Jacob I. Berry and another subject forced in a locked front door, at 400 S. Dubuque St., at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, when the resident heard the break-in and chased them away.

Police said they were able to arrest Berry, who managed to run three blocks from the scene. He was identified by the resident, according to the report, but Berry's accomplice wasn't apprehended.

Berry, whose address is unavailable, later admitted to police that he ran because he became "scared when the victim came to the door," police said.

"We're having a lot of burglaries right now," said Iowa City police Lt. Bill Campbell, referring to the "uninterrupted time" of the University of Iowa winter break, which begins with the close of finals week Dec. 16 and runs through Jan. 17.

Campbell said since many leave town during the university holiday, people take opportunities to steal because a lot of homes and neighbors' homes are unoccupied for the lengthy break.

Since Dec. 15, approximately five people have been charged with burglary, and four have been charged with attempted burglary, police records show.

Berry is charged with second-degree attempted burglary, a Class D felony.