A Mediapolis, Iowa man, arrested in connection with a November car burglary, was also charged for one that happened in February 2014.
Des Moines County deputies were sent to a reported vehicle burglary in progress in the 300 block of Blaine Street in Mediapolis just after 2 a.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2014. Deputies said they found a man who matched the suspect description in the 200 block of Cedar Street.
Investigators then searched a home in the 300 block of Cedar Street, and arrested 27-year-old Joshua Melton, according to a statement from the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office.
Melton was charged with possession of burglar tools and third-degree vehicle burglary, the statement said. Police think Melton was involved in a Mediapolis vehicle burglary that happened in the 400 block of Park Street on February 17, 2014.
Jail records showed Melton was released the same day of his arrest after he posted bond at the Des Moines County Jail.
Police said they could not yet confirm or deny any possible connection with a long string of break-ins reported in 2014 in Mediapolis, Iowa.
Purses, wallets, debit cards, checkbooks, cash and other items were reported stolen in a rash of burglaries reported on, and near, Main Street in Mediapolis between March 21 and March 24, 2014.
A similar rash of burglaries followed, with police responding to numerous car and garage burglaries reported on the same day in Mediapolis in May 2014. At that time, police said they knew of at least five more incidents where someone spotted the suspect but did not report the crime.
In all cases, investigators stopped short of saying whether they believed the incidents were connected.