Sutherland, Iowa — A Primghar man has been arrested on a felony theft charge after a traffic stop just outside of Sutherland.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the O’Brien County Clerk of Court’s Office by the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, 43-year-old Joel Wallinga of Primghar is accused of possessing a stolen side-by-side ATV. He was arrested on Sunday.
In his statement, the deputy says he pulled over the side-by-side for speeding. During the traffic stop, he says Wallinga stated that he had purchased the side-by-side approximately three weeks earlier, and he had not gotten the side-by-side registered yet in Iowa. The deputy called in the side-by-side’s vehicle identification number, and it came back that it had been reported stolen from Grand Island, Nebraska.
Wallinga was charged with second-degree theft, a class D felony. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
He faces an initial court appearance on July 22nd.
Wallinga was booked into the O’Brien County Jail in Primghar and was released the same day after posting bond.
