Hawarden, Iowa — A Hawarden teen has been arrested in connection with a 2014 burglary after collected DNA evidence allegedly placed him at the scene at the time in question.
The Hawarden Police department reports that they arrested 18-year-old Brendan Schurman of Hawarden on Wednesday, January 6th, 2016 on charges of Third Degree Theft and Third Degree Criminal Mischief, both aggravated misdemeanors; and Third Degree Burglary, a class D felony.
Court records indicate that the break-in in question was investigated on July 31, 2014. They say it happened at DARS, an automotive repair shop in Hawarden. The investigation showed that entry was gained by breaking out a plate glass window. The criminal complaint says officers noticed blood on the broken glass and elsewhere around the scene, and they sent a sample to the DCI crime lab. They got an initial response 16 months later, in November, 2015 that indicated it could be Schurman’s blood. They also took a DNA sample from Schurman on December 15th, 2015, and sent that to the DCI lab as well. On December 31st, they received a lab report indicating a match.
Taken in the burglary were an iPad and a rifle scope valued at a combined total of between $500 and $1000. Damage to the building was also estimated at between $500 and $1000.
Schurman is alleged to have also stolen some items from the Sioux Center Walmart, according to Sioux Center Police Chief Paul Adkins. He says a search warrant was carried out at Schurman’s home on Wednesday night, January 6th, 2016. Charges have been filed in that case as well.
Schurman was released from the Sioux County Jail after posting bond.
