Lang
12/14/19
Two Illinois men face charges that they tried to steal thousands of dollars in lumber and equipment from the Iowa City Menards.
According to arrest records, 51-year-old Mark Plasters and 26-year-old Donnie Purifoy drove from Rockford to Iowa City on Friday. Once at Menards, they allegedly used a fraudulent credit card to purchase almost $7,000 in lumber and appliances. The transaction was found to be fraudulent as the store’s staff was loading the items onto a U-Haul Plasters and Purifoy had driven from Rockford. The two then allegedly tried to drive away, but were stopped by arriving police.
Plasters allegedly told investigators he was told to use a fictious ID identifying him as the credit card holder, and to memorize the person’s social security number in order to complete the purchase.
A capped syringe and spoon with a white powdery substance were found on Plasters’ person upon his arrest.
Plasters is charged with 2nd Degree Theft, Identity Theft, Possession of a Fictitious License and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over 11 years in prison.
Purifoy is charged with 2nd Degree Theft, a Class D felony punishable by a maximum of five years in prison.