Arrest Made In Jesup Boy Scout Burglary Incident

Authorities have arrested an Oelwein man in connection with the theft of thousands of dollars raised by a Boy Scout troop in Jesup last month.

Jason Cole, 21, is charged with first-degree theft and third-degree burglary.

Cole is accused of stealing $13,000 from a Jesup Boy Scout troop on July 9 during Jesup Farmer's Days. The scouts had a booth where they sold food; the money was left in the booth, which was burglarized during the town celebration.

The investigation continues, and more charges are pending.

Cole also has been accused of burglarizing a church in Oelwein and of several other break-ins in Bremer County.

On Aug. 5, sheriff's officials were notified that burglaries occurred at Plainfield Veterinary Clinic in Plainfield and at Cliff’s Place in Horton. In the early morning hours of Aug. 9, authorities received a call from the owner of the Hawk’s Nest Café in Frederika of a burglary in progress.

Oelwein police responded to multiple reports of burglaries to local businesses on July 31 and Aug. 8. Cole is charged with seven counts in third-degree burglary in connection with the incidents in Oelwein.