Nab Couple After Theft

SWITZER, ROBERTS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 8/17/2013 at 17:32:53

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Jan. 18, 1960

NAB COUPLE
AFTER THEFT

Pair Who Took Television
Being Held In Iowa City

A couple was being held at Iowa City today by Johnson county authorities following the theft of a television set from Switzer's Motel in Grinnell Sunday evening.

Hank Switzer, operator of the local motel, said a couple identified as Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Roberts of Columbus, Ohio, registered at the motel about 5:15 p.m. Sunday. Checking the room about two hours later, Switzer discovered it had not been occupied, but that a television set was missing.

The couple had given a false automobile license number when registering, but Switzer was able to identify the car and he notified Sheriff Bill Welsh. The information was put on the police radio and the car was stopped about three hours later in Iowa City by Highway Patrolman Howard Shapcott.

The stolen television set was still in the back seat of the car. Johnson county authorities said the couple might be implicated in other crimes since a number of license plates from other states were also found in the automobile.

Sheriff Welsh drove to Iowa City today to return the couple to Poweshiek county to face charges.