Chapman

A Marshalltown man is facing first-degree theft after allegedly entering someone else’s garage and stealing a car.

Joseph Chapman, 43, was arrested Thursday by the Marshalltown Police Department for the incident and is also charged with third-degree burglary. According to the criminal complaint filed with the Marshall County Court, Chapman drove the vehicle away from the residence, with the knowledge the owner of the car was dead and could not consent to him taking it.

When family members arrived at the home the following morning, they saw the garage door open and the car missing. The vehicle was found in Chapman’s possession, located outside of Marshall County. Based on how the car was parked, officers determined there was an attempt to hide it. Chapman later admitted to officers he entered the garage and took the vehicle, which has a value of more than $10,000.

Chapman is being held on a $10,000 bond in the Marshall County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday at 9:30 a.m.

In addition to Thursday’s charges, Chapman faces similar charges from June. He will go to trial on Dec. 18 for charges of forgery, third-degree theft and identity theft valuing less than $1,500.

He also has a history of similar charges in Iowa courts. In 2018, Chapman was found guilty of

Forgery and a third-degree theft charge was dismissed. In 2017, he was found guilty of third-degree theft and fifth-degree theft. In 2016, Chapman was found guilty of two counts of fifth-degree theft and of forgery, and charges of third-degree theft, fourth-degree theft and identity theft valued less than $1,000 were dismissed. In 2015, he was found guilty of fifth-degree theft.