Hunter
12/22/25
An area transient with a history of theft convictions was arrested again after allegedly stealing a bottle of tequila from the Waterfront HyVee, and stealing a bike from the downtown area.
On December 11th, 49-year-old Louis Church reportedly entered the store and selected a bottle of Magenta Blanco Tequila. He concealed the bottle and left the store without paying. In-store video reportedly caught Church, and when the still photo was circulated, three different officers positively identified him.
A warrant was issued for Church’s arrest, and at around 1:45am Thursday, he was reportedly seen by security and witnessed on camera, cutting a bike lock at a bike rack near the intersection of Clinton and Davenport streets and riding away with a bike. When stopped by officers, Church allegedly had a large bolt cutter in his possession that he used to cut the lock. The bike was valued at around $700.
A check of Church’s criminal record showed multiple previous theft convictions, the most recent in 2023.
He was charged with two counts of 3rd degree Theft and one count of 5th degree Criminal Mischief. Church faces a possible prison sentence of up to over four years if convicted on all charges.