Lang
1/24/23
An Iowa City man faces charges that he stole copper and aluminum from a local business last month.
39-year-old Joshua Kelley of Southgate Avenue was booked into the Johnson County Jail last Friday after police say he tried to register a stolen van with the Johnson County Treasurer’s Office. He now faces charges relating to an unrelated incident on December 11th. Investigators say an employee of Brandt Heating & Air Conditioning on Heinz Road found Kelley on the property around 10am that day. Kelley was reportedly transporting air conditioner parts to his vehicle parked nearby.
Kelley fled the scene when approached by the employee. It was later discovered that six air conditioning units had been stripped of their copper and aluminum. The units were worth a total of $15,000.
Kelley allegedly eventually admitted he had been on the property and sold the metal for profit. He’s charged with 1st Degree Criminal Mischief and 4th Degree Theft. If convicted on both charges, he faces a maximum of 11 years in prison.
Kelley is also charged with 3rd Degree Fraudulent Practices and Altering a Vehicle Identity Number related to his alleged attempt to register the stolen van. Those charges bring a maximum sentence of seven years behind bars.
