Teens arrested in string of area burglaries

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By Thomas Geyer | Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:59 AM CDT | () comments

Four Davenport teens have been arrested in connection with about eight “smash-and-grab” burglaries that have occurred in the city the past two weeks, police said.

The teens also are suspects in a similar burglary at Diamonds on the Avenue jewelry store in Moline that occurred late Tuesday or early Wednesday, and a burglary at a gasoline station on West Locust Street and Interstate 280 in rural Scott County. There also may be a burglary that Bettendorf police can tie to the quartet, authorities said.

Stanley A. Burnette, 19, of 1429 W. 13th St., Jesus M. Martinez, 18, of 322 Washington St., Alexander Cousins, 15, of 2002 Emerald Drive, and Richard J. Rodriguez, 17, of 2006 Emerald Drive, each are charged with seven counts of burglary third-degree, and one count of attempted burglary third-degree.

Burnette and Martinez also are charged with one count each of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile-using a juvenile to commit certain offenses.

Davenport police Capt. David Struckman said detectives served search warrants at the homes of the four teens Friday and recovered thousands of dollars of merchandise allegedly stolen from the stores. The items seized include jewelry, audio equipment and clothes.

All four teens were taken into custody Friday and questioned. They were later arrested.

According to the arrest affidavits of Burnette and Martinez, the four teens allegedly used a baseball bat to smash the windows at area businesses, and then stole merchandise. The burglaries occurred during the overnight hours from about Oct. 8 through Wednesday.

Davenport businesses and a school hit include: Gordmans, 3860 Elmore Ave.; Assumption High School, 1020 W. Central Park Ave.; Automotive Innovations, 4730 Elmore Ave.; Shoe Carnival, 902 W. Kimberly Road; P & G Variety Shop, 230 W. 15th St.; and Neckers Jewelry Co., 4007 E. 53rd St., from which the teens allegedly stole about $10,000 in jewelry.

Burglary third-degree is a Class D felony under Iowa law that carries a possible prison sentence of up to five years. Attempted burglary third-degree is an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a possible prison sentence of up to two years. Using a juvenile to commit certain offenses is a Class C felony that carries a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Thomas Geyer can be contacted at (563) 383-2328 or tgeyer@qctimes.com.