Rico

In the wake of the derecho a group attempted to steal from a local restaurant.

Early Thursday morning, three people were arrested while attempting to burglarize Ay Caramba’s. At 4:49 a.m., officers with the Marshalltown Police Department were dispatched to the restaurant regarding a burglary in-progress.

Officers arrived on scene and made contact with Marcos Brandon Rico, 21, of Marshalltown, as he exited the building. Further investigation revealed Rico had been actively robbing the business prior to police arriving.

Two juveniles were contacted while they waited inside a parked car near the business. It was determined the two juveniles actively participated.

Rico was arrested and charged with burglary in the third-degree, a class D felony, criminal mischief in the fifth-degree, a simple misdemeanor.

Rico was transported and booked into the Marshall County Jail.

Both juveniles were arrested and charged with the burglary in the third-degree, a class D felony and being out past curfew, a simple misdemeanor.

Marshalltown Chief of Police Mike Tupper said there have been some reports of stealing.

“We saw some after the 2018 tornado,” he said. “When there is a natural disaster, you see a little bit of looting, people taking advantage of vulnerabilities.”

There have been other locations in Marshalltown hit. Tupper said he received two reports of a burglary or theft on Thursday morning. Some of the more common types have been siphoning of gas.

“I have talked to some people about this issue,” he said. “Businesses have also had generators stolen, but I am not sure they have all been reported to us.”

Tupper stressed everyone should secure property.

“Board up windows, lock everything,” he said. “Make sure there are no valuables in clear sight around your property. It is a good idea for neighbors to watch neighbors’ property and look out for each other.”

Tupper said a neighbor watching out for Ay Caramba was the one who notified the police.

“They saw some flashlights in the business and called us. We appreciate that,” he said.

Tupper said officers are providing extra patrols, but they cannot be everywhere. He urged everyone who sees something suspicious to please call the police station.