City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Police Department

We need your help to solve these crimes. All callers will remain anonymous. Give us a clue by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CR-CRIME, and you may receive up to $1,000.

On May 19, 2008, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a theft occurred at Acme Tools, 1943 Blairs Ferry Road NE. At that time a white male and a white female pulled into the parking lot, exited their vehicle, and immediately transferred items from their trunk into the back seat of their car. The male went into the store while the female got a baby out of the car. She also entered the store. While inside, the male and female went to separate areas and spoke with different employees. After a couple of minutes, the female exited the store. The male also exited a short time later and got into the passenger seat of the car. The female then went back into the store during which time it is believed that she took a pair of wire snippers, placed them in the car seat underneath the baby and exited the store. She put the baby in its car seat in the vehicle and spoke briefly with the male subject in the parking lot. After that, the female walked back into the store while the male only went inside the entryway. The male then cut the wire that was around two lanwmowers and then took one lawnmower out and loaded it into the trunk of the vehicle and got back in the passenger's seat. Shortly thereafter, the female exited the store, got in the driver's seat, and drove away. The suspect's vehicle is described as an older silver or gray, four door Buick or Olds-style with no hubcaps and some front-end damage. It was last seen turning westbound on Blairs Ferry Road from the store. The stolen lawnmower was a gray, self-propelled Honda Quadracut, with a bag. Photos are shown below.

On April 22, 2008, at approximately 10:53 p.m., a burglary occurred at the Can Shed, 4121 16th Avenue SW. At that time a male entered the west side of the building, went directly to an office where he unplugged a surveillance camera, pried open a safe and took an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is a white male, approximately 5'9", 150 lbs, and appeared to be wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. The Can Shed owner, Jim Hagen, is offering an additional $750 reward for the apprehension and conviction of this suspect.

On January 8, 2008, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a hit and run occurred at the intersection of Oakland Road and 29th Street NE. A silver Chevy Suburban was traveling northbound on Oakland Road, crossing 29th Street, when it was struck on the passenger side by a Pontiac four-door car that ran a red light while traveling westbound on 29th Street at Oakland Road. As a result of the crash, the Pontiac spun around, but then left the scene traveling eastbound on 29th Street. It then turned northbound onto Wildwood Court and was last seen eastbound on Staub Court NE. Both vehicles sustained major damage

The suspect vehicle is described as a light blue or teal colored Pontiac Grand Prix four-door, approximately five to six years old, which had a male driver and a female passenger in it. The vehicle has extensive front-end damage.

The victim is offering a $500 reward in addition to what Crime Stoppers will offer.

November 7, 2007

At approximately 12:30 p.m., a wallet was taken from the 1400 Block of Third Avenue SE. The suspect(s) used credit cards a various locations. Suspect #1 is Robyn Dickson, a black female, 5'3". There is an active warrant for Dickson. See Photo Suspect #2 is an unidentified male who is shown in the video surveillance photo. If you see either of these suspects, do not take action yourself. Call the Cedar Rapids Crime Stoppers Line at 1-800-CR-CRIME.

September & October 2007

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is investigating two reports of criminal mischief that occurred at Fusion, Inc., 4500 Wilson Avenue SW. The first incident occurred between 6:00 PM on September 21, 2007 and 10:00 AM on September 24, 2007. The second incident occurred between 6:00 PM on October 21, 2007 and 8:00 AM on October 29, 2007. In both cases, numerous windows to the business were shot by what appears to be a BB gun. The Cedar Rapids Police Department is following any and all leads that come to their attention and are asking for the public's assistance. If you were in the area during the specified times and saw anyone suspicious, or have heard anyone talking about this incident, please call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-CRCRIME. Fusion, Inc. is willing pay a $1000 reward in addition to the Crime Stoppers Award.

On August 28, 2007, at approximately 11:00 PM, a white male broke a window and entered the CVS Pharmacy located at 2711 Mount Vernon Road SE. This white male is described as wearing blue jeans, white tennis shoes, black t-shirt with an oval design on the back, face mask and black gloves. The subject was photographed when he entered the store and while he was in the store jumping over a counter. The subject got away with undisclosed items. Photos are shown below:

On July 26, 2007, between 10:53 and 11:10 AM, a theft occurred at Metro Harley Davidson, 2415 Westdale Drive SW. A male subject selected a skull gas cap and a chrome Harley voltage regulator from the shelf, took them out of the packages, put the merchandise in his pants pocket, and then placed the empty packaging back on the shelf. Below are photos of the subject.

On July 27, 2007, at approximately 3:20 AM, a Hit and Run took place at the corner of 19th Street and B Avenue NE. One of the vehicles involved had been stolen in a burglary earlier that night from a Riverside Drive NE residence. The vehicle stolen and used in the Hit and Run was a white Lexus. It struck a motorcycle, causing the driver of this vehicle to be transported to the hospital. Injuries to the driver of the motorcycle were significant. An additional $1,000 reward has been given by an anonymous donor to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who stole the vehicle and was involved in the Hit and Run. The Cedar Rapids Police Department is continuing their investigation of the case.

January 10, 2007

On January 8, 2007, at about 6:20 p.m., a criminal mischief occurred at Eddie's Rod & Custom, 2015 Werner Court NE. Five young boys were seen shooting out vehicle windows in the parking lot of this business. When they were confronted, some left on foot and some took of on bicycles southbound on the bike trail. They were last seen in the area of 42nd Street NE, running towards Center Point Road. The suspects were all wearing dark colored, hooded sweatshirts or coats. Their bicycles and a CO2 Cartridge from the BB gun were all recovered. Photos of the bicycles are shown below.

January 5, 2007

The Cedar Rapids Police Department would like to send out this warning and also ask for your help in identifying a group of men and women, who are currently in the Cedar Rapids area. They have been robbing elderly females and then attempting to use their credit cards to get cash advances at local bank. It is believed that two middle-aged African American males are committing the robberies around medical facilities. Both suspects are professionally dressed in dress shirts and ties and either wearing suit coats or long trench coats. After committing the robberies, these male subjects give the stolen credit cards and ID's to one, possibly two, African American women who then go into banks and try to get cash advances from the credit cards. A photo of one of these male subjects is shown below. The photo came from a different Iowa community where similar occurrences were happening and we believe this is the same person that is now in Cedar Rapids One female suspect is described as a light-skinned African American, approximately 5'6" to 5'8", 160 pounds. She has shoulder-length black hair, wore all dark clothing and carried a large, black purse. After leaving one of the banks, she was seen getting into a two-door tan or gold Ford-type vehicle. A photo of this female is shown below.

December 29, 2006

Police are asking for your help in identifying a man who is a suspect in a robbery. This robbery occurred on December 26, 2006, at about 12:15 a.m., at the Kwik Shop located at 3301 J Street SW. The suspect is described as a white male in his early 20's, approximately 6'3", 180 lbs., with lighter colored eyebrows. He was wearing a waist-length, black hooded sweatshirt with large, colorful patterns approximately 2" in size covering the entire jacket with a white shirt underneath. He was also wearing dark colored baggy jeans with white shoes and dark, solid colored gloves (possibly a baseball or football type). The suspect was last seen walking around the north side o the building and then disappeared to the east. See photo.

*HOMICIDE UPDATE--October 2006*

On the evening of December 19, 1979, Michelle Martinko was stabbed at Westdale Mall. With new technology, the Cedar Rapids Police Department now has the DNA of the suspect. We are looking for anyone that remembers someone who would have had a cut on his hand at that time. If you provide information leading to the arrest of this subject, you could received up to a $10,000 reward. ALL CALLERS REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

Michelle Martinko

April 17, 2006

Since March 24, 2006, the Cedar Rapids Police Department has taken several theft from vehicle reports occurring on the northeast side of Cedar Rapids. Most of these incidents have been happening in the late evening to early morning hours in the area between 74th Street and Boyson Road NE and between C Avenue and Council Street NE. Entry is being gained by breaking windows of vehicles parked in driveways and taking whatever is inside. The police department discourages leaving anything in plain view.

April 4, 2006

On March 26, 2006, at about 7:20 p.m., an assault occurred on 15th Street at 5th Avenue SE. At that time a male and female were inside their vehicle when they were approximately 10 to 20 black males in their late teens to early 20's. After hearing something hit the car, the victim got out to talk to these individuals about it. While speaking with one of the subjects, another male struck one of the victims from behind causing injury. One of the black males was wearing a white t-shirt and a white headband.

March 21, 2006

On February 27, 2006, at about 12:15 a.m., a robbery occurred at a southwest side business. At that time the victim was inside the business and a male subject came up, grabbed him from behind, and told the victim to give him all of his money. A scuffle ensued and the robber brandished a screwdriver and threatened the victim. After the victim started to call 911, the robber then left the business. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5'10", thin build, with a scruffy face. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt with blue writing across the front, a blue winter coat, and light colored blue jeans.

January 25, 2006

On January 13, 2006, a theft occurred at a Hy-Vee Store in Cedar Rapids. At approximately 5:37 p.m., a male and female subject were in the store playing the Touch Play Lottery Machine. They later cashed out, got a ticket from the machine, and then left the store. Approximately an hour later, these two subjects came back into the store and briefly played the lottery machines again. They took the tickets from the earlier visit to the service counter to redeem them. These tickets appeared to be altered. The subject were captured on the store video camera. Police are asking for help in identifying these people wanted for questioning.

January 17, 2006

Between January 13 and January 15, 2006, the Cedar Rapids Police Department has received over 100 criminal mischief reports of windows being broken out. Most of these reports involved vehicle windows that were shot out by a pellet gun or shattered with a bat or some type of blunt object. These incidents occurred in the late evening to early morning hours in all quadrants of the City.

January 5, 2006

On January 2, 2006, at approximately 10:40 PM, a theft occurred at Handimart, 5050 Northland Avenue NE. A male subject went into the store and asked for two cartons of Newport cigarettes. After the clerk put the cartons on the counter, this male subject grabbed them and ran out without paying.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5'8" to 5'9" and in his late 30's. He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

On January 4, 2006, at approximately 12:45 AM, a theft occurred at Handimart, 3434 First Avenue NE. A male subject went into the store and asked for two packs of Newport 100's. When the clerk put the two packs on the counter, the subject then told him he wanted two cartons instead. After the clerk placed the two cartons on the counter, the subject grabbed them and ran off.

The suspect in this theft is described at 5'9" to 6'2" and 180 pounds. He was wearing a white, hooded sweatshirt.

November 22, 2005

Since October 14, 2005, the Cedar Rapids Police Department has taken 35 Theft from Vehicle Reports. These thefts occurred in several parkades downtown. Entry was gained by popping out the passenger side door locks and small items were taken from inside. The Cedar Rapids Police Department would like to remind people to park in well-lit areas, keep valuables in the trunk or out of plain sight, and always lock your car doors.

November 1, 2005

On October 28, 2005, at approximately 3:00 p.m. an attempted theft occurred at Menard's, 2800 Wiley Boulevard SW. A male subject went into Menard's, selected a power tool kit and put it into his cart. He then pushed his cart out into the lumberyard area and hid the kit out in the yard. The male subject went back into the store and then exited out the front. The subject was described as a white male, in his mid to late 30's, approximately 5'10", with brown hair and a thick mustache. He was wearing a black cap, dark gray flannel shirt and jeans.

October 27, 2005

On September 12, 2005, at approximately 10:14 AM, a robbery occurred in the parking lot of Hy Vee, 279 Collins Road NE. The victim was knocked down and had her purse snatched. The suspect is described as a black male, wearing dark clothes and a red baseball cap. After the robbery, the suspect ran to a larger white sedan-style car and drove off.

On September 24, 2005, at approximately 10:25 PM, a robbery occurred in the parking lot of 2251 C Street SW. The victim was knocked down and had her carryall bag taken. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6', with a medium to heavy build, wearing a light colored shirt, shorts and tennis shoes. After the robbery occurred, the suspect ran northbound through an adjacent apartment complex.

The victims were both approached from behind. It is unknown if these are related.

August 18, 2005

There have been several reports of graffiti in the area around Roosevelt Middle School since June 7. All these events occurred during the overnight hours where garages and buildings were spray-painted. The suspects are described as young, black males ranging in age from 11-16. They wear white t-shirts and dark colored shorts or pants.

July 22, 2005

The Cedar Rapids Police Department has made available a sketch of the suspect from the McLoud bike trail assault that occurred on June 29, 2004. The assault took place at approximately 6:30 a.m. on the northeast side of the bike trail. Although the Cedar Rapids Police Department has not often utilized a sketch artist, the victim was very helpful in this case. Posters have been place on the bike trail. A picture may be viewed at most wanted page.

Anyone having information of this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CR-CRIME. All callers remain anonymous. You may be eligible for a reward.