Police Blotter: Urbandale Man, 79, Charged as Library Thief

The Urbandale arrests below are preliminary criminal charges. They do not represent convictions or court resolutions. 

Urbandale Man Charged in iPod Theft at Library

James L. Lauterbach, 79, of 7711 Hickman Road, Urbandale, was charged on Jan 19 with third-degree theft in connection with an incident the day before in which a 67-year-old West Des Moines man said someone stole his iPod from his bag while he was at the Urbandale Public Library.

Urbandale Police Lt. Rob Johansen said Lauterbach was arrested because the library has video cameras. "He was captured on videotape. He's a regular there."

When the librarians reviewed the tape, they said: "That looks like the guy who comes in every day and reads the newspaper" so police waited for him to come in the next day and arrested him, said Johansen. 

The theft was the second such report in a week. On Jan. 13, two patrons who were using a study room said they left the room for a bit and came back to find a man described as being in his 30s rifling through their belongings. No arrests were made. 

Sunday, Jan. 15: A 53-year-old Urbandale man reported that his car stereo was stolen from his vehicle while it was parked at Perkins Restaurant, 8601 Hickman Road.

Wednesday, Jan. 18: A 62-year-old Urbandale man reported that he received a threatening phone call at his residence at 4428 92nd St. The man said the call may be related to a conflict at his work. 

Thursday, Jan. 19: Seven dollars in gas was reported stolen at the Kum & Go gasoline station at 8228 Douglas Ave.

Friday, Jan. 20: Duane L. Couchman, 43, of Urbandale was charged with second-degree criminal mischief in connection with approximately $5,000 worth of damage to buildings at Candle Ridge Apartments. There was damage to several doors and interior walls and a gate to a garbage dumpster.

Jules L.D. Gould, 18, was charged with public intoxication, misdemeanor criminal mischief and simple domestic abuse in connection with an incident with a 48-year-old family member who was injured at 3630 109th St.

A 53-year-old painter reported the someone stole his paint sprayer and an extension cord from a house being remodeled at 4229 67th St. 

A license plate was reported stolen from a vehicle parked at Candle Ridge Apartments, 4505 86th St.

Max A. Sawyer, 21, of Urbandale, was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia at 2305 Beverly Drive.

Saturday, Jan. 21: A 33-year-old welder reported that $700 in cash was reported stolen from his room Villa Lodge, 11000 Douglas Ave.

A 38-year-old woman reported a burglary to her residence at 6501 Urbandale Ave.

A 25-year-old man reported a theft from an unlocked vehicle at 3104 Mary Lynn Drive.

Sunday, Jan. 22: Danelle L. Perkins, 33, of Dallas Center, was charged with first-offense drunken driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, and driving with an open container in the 4300 block of Merle Hay Road.

A 26-year-old man reported that he suspected his girlfriend stole from his residence 6820 Holcomb Ave.

A 39-year-old woman reported the theft of an iPhone from her residence at 4216 152nd St.


























Want more information about crime in your neighborhood? Check out the free crime mapping serviceon the Urbandale Police Department website.