Moore

A convicted felon who has already been arrested in connection with the burglaries of the American Legion buildings in Gladbrook and Garwin and the Tama Eagles Club is now facing additional charges for multiple incidents in Marshalltown, including the burglary of VFW Post 839 on Jan. 7.

According to a press release, the Marshalltown Police Department (MPD) has filed the following charges against Matthew Lee Moore, 42, of Marshalltown: two counts of third degree burglary and one count of second degree theft (each a Class D felony), two counts of sex offender registry violation, two counts of third degree attempted burglary, one count of third degree theft, one count of third degree criminal mischief and one count of possession of burglar tools (all aggravated misdemeanors), two counts of fourth degree criminal mischief and one count of possession of methamphetamine (all serious misdemeanors) and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.

The press release goes into further detail about several of the alleged incidents in Marshalltown. On Nov. 4, 2024, at 5:10 a.m., the MPD responded to an alarm call at 50 Lafrentz Ln. (the strip mall near Walmart). When officers arrived, they observed that a business had been broken into, and video surveillance of the suspect was obtained.

On Nov. 25, 2024 at 3:36 a.m., the MPD responded to an alarm call at 1116 E. Nevada St. (East Side Liquor). Video surveillance showed the same suspect from the burglary on Nov. 4 as well as a suspect vehicle, but the suspect was not able to gain entry into the store.

On Nov. 29, 2024 at 2:29 a.m., the MPD responded to an attempted burglary at 19 W. Main St. (The Lounge on Main). The reporting party advised the suspect vehicle was the same suspect

vehicle from Nov. 25.

On Jan. 7, the Marshalltown Police Department responded to a call for service to the VFW post at 107 E. Meadow Ln. for a burglary that had happened overnight where items were stolen. The offices of both Post 839 Commander Larry Tuttle and Post 839 Quartermaster Roger Dirks were broken into and a safe was stolen that contained about $1,000 in cash, $450 in undeposited checks, extra keys, and important papers including the deed to the building.

Following an extensive investigation of multiple burglary incidents in Marshalltown as well as others in jurisdictions outside of Marshalltown, suspects were developed. On January 16, 2025 Law Enforcement Officers from several agencies executed search warrants at two different locations in Marshalltown relating to these burglaries. Moore was arrested on outstanding Tama County burglary warrants at that time, and he is currently being held at the Tama County Jail.

“This investigation remains active. More arrests are expected,” the release reads.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the MPD at 641.754.5725 or 911. Tips can

be submitted anonymously by calling Marshall County Crime Stoppers at 641.753.1234 or via text by texting the word “marshall” followed by the tip to CRIMES (274637). Tips may also be submitted online at www.marshallcountycs.com.

The MPD was assisted in these investigations by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office, the Newton Police Department, the Tama Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, and the Mid Iowa Drug Task Force.

As previously reported in the T-R, Moore was convicted for his role in at least nine burglaries around the state in 2020 and sentenced to a prison term not to exceed 15 years.