Colfax teens charged in
series of
burglaries
By MANDI LAMB/NDN Staff Writer
Two Colfax teens have been charged in more than a dozen burglaries reported in the past few months at various businesses all over Jasper County.
On Thursday, following a six-week investigation, Mackenzie Paul Deaton and William Thomas Georgou, both 18 years old, were charged with ongoing criminal conduct and 14 counts of burglary.
According to a news release issued Thursday by Jasper County Sheriff Mike Balmer, several businesses began reporting burglaries in April. Law enforcement officers from various agencies in Jasper County combined their efforts and investigations due to similarities in each of the burglaries reported, such as the method of entry, the time the burglaries were occurring and the items being taken, according to the news release.
Businesses that reported attempted or actual burglaries included the following:
• Williams Auto, the Colfax Country Club and Colfax Tractor Parts, all in Colfax, on April 24.
• LCI Distributing in Colfax on May 5.
• Milligan Auto in Colfax on May 6.
• Cline Tire and Auto in Prairie City on May 7.
• Lynnville Golf Course on May 18.
• US Cellular, Aces Teen Club and Elemental Designs, all in Newton, on May 19.
• Mable’s Corner, Kelly Field Concession Stand and Colfax Public Swimming Pool, all in Colfax, and Mingo Locker in Mingo on June 4.
Deaton and Georgou both are being held at the Jasper County Jail on $5,000 cash bonds. They appeared in Jasper County District Court on Thursday for initial hearings and are scheduled to appear in court again for preliminary hearings at 9 a.m. June 15.
Ongoing criminal conduct is a class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. The burglary charges are all class D felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. The investigation is continuing, and additional charges may be filed, according to the news release.
The investigation was completed by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Drug Task Force, Jasper County Attorney’s Office and the Newton, Colfax, Monroe, Prairie City and Baxter police departments.
Mandi Lamb can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 424 or via e-mail at mlamb@newtondailynews.com.
