Sheldon, Iowa — A Sheldon man is behind bars at a state institution in Coralville after he burglarized several Sheldon businesses.
The Sheldon Police Department reports that between the months of August through October, 2014, they received reports of fourteen business burglaries in Sheldon. On October 15, 2014, officers arrested 27-year-old Travis Dean Staab on three charges of Third Degree Burglary. Officers believed he was involved in the burglaries at Shopko, Verizon Wireless, and Digital Plus. Staab was also charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of burglary tools. Staab was transported to the O’Brien County Jail that day and has remained in custody since then.
According to court records, last month, Staab appeared in O’Brien County District Court to enter into a plea agreement. Staab pled guilty to burglary in the Third Degree for his involvement in the September 14, 2014 burglary at the Verizon Wireless Store. He also pled guilty to burglary in the Third Degree for his involvement in the October 7, 2014 burglary at Shopko.
Staab received two five-year sentences that will run concurrent with each other, with the fines and surcharges being suspended. Staab will serve these sentences consecutively with the sentence imposed in the probation revocation case in the Iowa District Court for Plymouth County. Staab was ordered to pay victim restitution in accordance with any statement of pecuniary loss related to these matters. Additionally, Staab admitted to his involvement with the following crimes in Sheldon:
- Sheldon Subway burglary on 08-07-14
- Sheldon Subway burglary on 08-26-14
- Dairy Dandy burglary on 09-08-14
- His and Her Hair burglary on 09-08-14
- Vogel Paint and Glass burglary on 09-14-14
- Verizon Wireless burglary on 09-22-14
- O’Brien County Implement burglary on 09-22-14
As part of his sentence, Staab was ordered to make restitution to these businesses for the amounts of their losses.
Staab also pled guilty to possession of marijuana. On that charge, Staab will pay fees and penalties including any court-appointed attorney fees. Staab was also sentenced to two days in jail on the marijunana charge.
After the time of his sentencing, Staab was transported to the Oakdale Classification Center where he currently is incarcerated.
According to court records, here are the amounts of restitution that Staab owes to Sheldon businesses.
[table id=13 /]
Story about Staab’s arrest from October, 2014:
Sheldon Cops To Burglary Suspect: “GOTCHA!!!”
Sheldon, Iowa — A two month-long investigation into several business burglaries in Sheldon has resulted in the arrest of a Sheldon man.
Sheldon Police say that on Wednesday, October 15th, at approximately 9:30 PM, officers from their department executed a search warrant at 602 6thAvenue at an upstairs apartment in that home, where officers reportedly seized numerous items of potential evidence, including marijuana, drug paraphernalia, clothing related items, and burglary tools. Officers say they arrested the tenant at that apartment, 27-year old Travis Dean Staab, on multiple charges.
Police say Staab was charged with one count of Burglary in the 3rd Degree for his alleged involvement in the Digital Plus burglary on September 2nd, one count of Burglary in the 3rd Degree for his alleged involvement in the Verizon Wireless burglary on September 14th, and another count of burglary in the 3rd Degree for his alleged involvement in the Shopko burglary on October 7th. Additionally, Staab was charged with possession of Burglar’s tools, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Staab was transported to the O’Brien County Jail where he is being held on these charges. Additionally, police say, Staab is being held on a warrant for parole violation.
Police say the investigation into these and other burglaries is ongoing, and additional charges are likely to be filed as this investigation develops.
Assisting the Sheldon Police Department were Deputies from the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Department and Officers from the Iowa Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Department.
The public is reminded that a criminal charge is merely an accusation and that all persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.