Numerous clues point to suspect in string of Grand Meadow thefts

Published 8:03 am Friday, June 14, 2013

A Grand Meadow man faces seven felonies and several misdemeanors after allegedly stealing from two vehicles, a public library and Grand Meadow City Hall this week.

Cody Wayne Simons, 24, of Grand Meadow was arrested earlier this week and charged Thursday in Mower County Court. He faces two counts of second-degree burglary of a government building, two counts of third-degree burglary, theft of more than $1,000, theft of public funds and possession of burglary tools — all felonies. He is also charged with gross misdemeanor theft of more than $500, along with two counts of misdemeanor theft and fourth-degree property damage.

Authorities spoke with two vehicle owners who both on June 9 reported CD/radio players stolen from their vehicles in Grand Meadow, among numerous other items. One victim pointed authorities to Simons.

Email newsletter signup

Authorities later received a call from the Grand Meadow Public Library, where the director said someone stole $100 from book and quilt sale proceeds, petty cash, DVDs and a digital camera. The Grand Meadow city clerk also reported a cash box at the city hall had been moved from the previous night and was missing $30. The clerk also reported a missing digital camera and pry marks on the door to the main office. The clerk said Simons had a job cleaning the city hall building, so he had a key to the building but not to the main office where the cash box was stored. The office door had pry marks on it. City Hall also houses a key to the library.

Authorities executed a search warrant of Simons’ home and found a key to the library, 24 DVDs, a flashlight and a CD player from one of the vehicles, a digital camera, two disk drives and a pry bar.

According to the court complaint, Simons may have cut his hand while breaking into one of the vehicles, and his blood was possibly on an envelope, which was turned over to authorities for testing.