Marshalltown man charged with stealing $180,000 in electrical equipment from mall property
The younger brother of a Marshalltown man who was arrested and charged with burglary and theft last week is now facing similar charges over allegations that he stole more than $180,000 in electrical equipment from the Marshalltown Mall property last December, according to court documents.
Ashton Mason Clark, 20, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with a single count of first degree theft, a Class C felony, four counts of third degree burglary and a single count of second degree theft, all Class D felonies, and fifth degree theft, a simple misdemeanor. The first degree theft charge stems from the aforementioned allegation that Clark stole an estimated $180,000 worth of electrical equipment from an unoccupied structure on the Marshalltown Mall property at 2500 S. Center St. on Dec. 22, 2023.
According to an arrest report, the equipment was found to be in Clark’s possession during the execution of a subsequent search warrant, and images and videos of the stolen property were also saved on his cell phone.
“Photos and text messages from the defendant and an accomplice indicated and highlighted the burglary,” it reads.
Separate complaints allege additional thefts and burglaries from the mall property committed on Feb. 24, March 10 (when he is also alleged to have stolen at least 30 keys to the mall) and March 21.
Last week, Clark’s older brother Hunter was arrested and charged with four counts of third degree burglary along with single counts of first degree theft, second degree theft, fifth degree theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ashton Clark was charged with second degree theft, a Class D felony, back in June, and that case is still ongoing.
At presstime, Ashton Clark was being held in the Marshall County Jail on a bond totaling $25,300. A preliminary hearing has been set for Nov. 22 at 9:30 a.m.