Four Des Moines men were arrested early this morning for burglary and theft at the old UnityPoint Hospital site on South Fourth Avenue.

After receiving a report of trespassing, Marshalltown Police Department officers responded to the former hospital. Upon arrival, they determined a burglary and theft had occurred.

Officers located and stopped a vehicle near East Madison Street and South Center Street. Inside the vehicle were four men and property, specifically copper pipe, stolen from the old hospital. As a result, officers arrested: Darnell Philip Johnson, 56; Moo Soe, 28; Peet Min, 32 and Mo Say, 38.

All four men were taken to the Marshall County Jail. They have been charged with third-degree burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of burglar tools. Third-degree burglary is a class D felony and carries a maximum sentence of five years in a prison and a $7,500 fine. The charges are accusations and the men are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The investigation is continuing. The MPD was assisted at the crime scene by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Further investigation revealed that one of the arrested suspects — Peet Min — gave a false name at the time of his arrest. Min has outstanding arrest warrants in Polk and Dallas counties, and additional charges against Min are pending as a result of his providing false information to law enforcement.

Scott Covalt of Dike, the owner of the former hospital site, was happy when he received a call and was told of the arrest.

“That is fantastic,” he said. “I think it’s appropriate to let them know people are watching.”

Covalt said he has been working with the City of Marshalltown on a security plan for the site. Within the next week or two, he expects windows and doors to be boarded up, temporary fencing placed around the buildings and security cameras and lighting installed.

“When that is done, guards will be coming in,” he said. “It may take a week to mobilize.”

Covalt purchased the property in February 2022 with CD Marshalltown LLC, a division of Covalt Development. He wants to ensure the equipment brought in for demo and clean-up will be protected with the planned security measures. Covalt is also working on the financing development and hopes to submit plans to the city in January and work started by the end of March. While he has spoken to a few potential buyers, no contracts have been signed.

“I am just glad these guys got caught, and it is all from being vigilant,” Covalt said. “They will be caught and will go to jail.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.