Three arrested in burglary of flooded Cedar Rapids home

Police say a Cedar Rapids man and two of his nephews were caught stealing copper from a flood-damaged home.

Officers went to 925 Fourth St. SW around 11 a.m. Sunday to check out a report of suspicious activity. Lamont Jones, 38, was in the basement of the uninhabited home, along with DeMarcus Jones, 19, and Daquan Jones, 14. All three were taking copper piping, police said.

“It was a family affair,” said Sgt. Cristy Hamblin, a police spokeswoman.

DeMarcus Jones tried to run from the back of house, but police caught up to him and placed him under arrest.

All three are charged with first-degree theft. DeMarcus Jones was also charged with interference with official acts and possession of burglary tools, after police found a crowbar, screwdrivers and a saw in his vehicle.

Hamblin said the number of copper thefts from flood-damaged homes rose when prices went up, but there haven't been as many in recent months. Besides keeping the property as secure as possible, she suggested that owners of vacated residences take a video inside the house, to establish an inventory.

Lamont and DeMarcus Jones were taken to the Linn County Jail, and Daquan Jones was taken to the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center.