UPDATE:
Rock Rapids, Iowa — Warrants are expected to be issued for the arrest of the individuals responsible for the Lyon County Courthouse break-in and vandalism that occurred Tuesday night or early Wednesday in Rock Rapids.
A statement from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office states that their team has been busy processing the scene. They tell us the team, with the assistance of the Lyon County IT Department, was able to view footage of the suspects throughout the building.
As of Wednesday night, warrants were being requested for multiple charges, including First-Degree Criminal Mischief, a class C felony; Third-Degree Burglary and Conspiracy to Commit a Non-Forcible Felony, both class D felonies. If convicted of a class C felony, they could face up to 10 years in prison, with five years each on the class D felonies.
They would also face misdemeanor charges of Willful Disturbance and Reckless Use of Fire/Explosives/Destructive Device, according to the statement from the sheriff’s office.
Previously, it was indicated that suspect information would be released. However, the statement says that as warrants are being requested, their names are being withheld until warrants are issued. Authorities say their intent is to release that information at that time.
According to the sheriff’s statement, the investigation was able to move along thoroughly and in a timely manner due to the teamwork of the deputies of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Lyon County IT Department, Iowa State Patrol, and Lyon County Attorney’s Office. Assistance was provided by out-of-state agencies as well, who will be thanked in a future release.
They tell us the courthouse may be closed to the public for a few more days for cleanup. The decision on when to open it to the public is one that will be made by those responsible for that, and the sheriff’s team says they will try to share that information when they have it.
Further information will be released when warrants are issued.
According to pictures released by the sheriff’s office, Christmas trees were toppled, what is assumed to be an antique gumball-machine-style candy and nut dispenser was smashed, the law library door’s frosted window with “Library” written on it was smashed, old and possibly antique wooden chairs were destroyed, glass in the courtroom was broken, and more.
Click here for pictures on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page.
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Origninal story posted 12/17/25 at 11:44 a.m.:
Rock Rapids, Iowa — Law enforcement officers are investigating a crime scene at the Lyon County Courthouse in Rock Rapids today.
According to Lyon County Sheriff Brian Hilt, during the overnight hours Tuesday into Wednesday (December 16th-17th), the courthouse was burglarized. He tells us entry was made into the courthouse, and multiple areas of the courthouse were significantly damaged. Damage includes things such as writing on walls, broken glass, knocked down Christmas trees, and items thrown around.
He says the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office was contacted this morning by a county employee who had arrived at the courthouse and observed evidence of the burglary.
Deputies from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and State Troopers with the Iowa State Patrol responded, searched the building, and are processing the scene.
To preserve the integrity of the crime scene and allow time for cleaning, the courthouse has been closed to the public for the remainder of the week, says the sheriff.
He tells us the building was not occupied by any county employees during the time of the crime, and there were no injuries to the public.
At last report, no suspect or suspects were in custody, but suspect information is planned to be released later today. At that time, a few photographs will be released of the damage as well, says Sheriff Hilt.
He says that due to the ongoing investigation, information will be released as they are able, but nothing further is being released at this time.
If anyone has information they’d like to report, Lyon County officials are asking you to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 712-472-8300.
An email from the 3rd Judicial District, which covers several counties in northwest Iowa, including Lyon, says that due to the closure of the Lyon County Courthouse, electronic court filings for that county will be processed in the interim by the Osceola County Clerk of Court’s Office. The notice also states that anyone with a scheduled court date at the Lyon County Courthouse should also contact the Osceola County Clerk of Court at 712-754-3595.
Thanks to Carson Schubert, KSOU, and Steve Schwaller, KUOO, for their collaboration on this story.
KIWA Staff Photo
