Several burglaries reported at Marion retirement community

Police are investigating 10 to 15 burglaries reported this week at a Marion retirement community.

Several senior citizens at Summit Pointe Senior Living Community, 3505 English Glen Ct., reported thefts from their apartments, police said. Lt. Steve Etzel said a former employee has been questioned and charges are pending.

Christina Bricker, housing director at Summit Pointe, said the male employee has been fired. She said residents are ”shell-shocked” that someone they trusted could steal from them.

“I feel that person is a very sick individual,” Bricker said. “I don't know how somebody could come back to work and look at these people. It's disgusting.”

The employee's name has not been released because he is not yet charged with a crime.

Police activity logs show they took 10 burglary reports at the sprawling 101-unit complex Tuesday. Etzel said Thursday information was still being gathered and did not have a final number or details about what was stolen.

Bricker said the employee was well-liked and trusted by tenants. She said he did not have access to apartments to complete his job duties, but declined to elaborate.

Work is under way to rekey the locks to every apartment, and security cameras already monitor the exits, Bricker said. She said residents and employees have been informed of the situation, and educational meetings are planned.

“Our heart and soul is put into the protection of our tenants here at Summit Pointe, and making sure they are safe and secure,” Bricker said.

Bricker said she has submitted a report to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. If the report is determined to be founded, the suspect could be banned from working at a similar facility in the future, she said.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, between 1 million and 2 million Americans age 65 and older have been injured, exploited or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection. Information about prevention and reporting can be found on their website at

www.ncea.aoa.gov.