Crime & Safety

Two Men Charged in Theft of Ames School District Truck

An Ames and Gilbert man were both charged with theft after Ames police saw them driving around in a school district pickup that had been reported stolen.

Two men were charged with first-degree theft after they were found riding around town in an Ames School District truck that was reported stolen from the old middle school property on Monday.

Both the driver, Ellis Cooper, 35, of Ames, and passenger, Bryan Cox, 35, of Gilbert, were charged with first-degree theft after Ames police stopped the truck in the East Hy-Vee parking lot about 7 p.m. Monday, according to complaints.

The truck was reported stolen about 4 p.m. Monday from the former middle school site on State Avenue and an officer conducting a traffic stop on S. 4th Street, recognized it as the truck reported stolen and followed it and stopped it in the grocery store parking lot. Cooper, the driver, initially followed the officer's orders, but he later ran and was caught in the DOT parking lot nearby, complaints said.

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Cooper was also charged with driving under suspension and interference with official acts. According to complaints, Cooper has had a suspended driver's license since April of 2002. The passenger Cox, was also charged with theft for aiding and abetting the possession of stolen property, because the officer believed Cox knew the truck had been stolen, according to complaints. Cox told police that he thought Cooper worked for the school district and that he was being given a ride. His bicycle was in the back of the truck. During the stop, police found a small red pouch stuffed in the bench of the passenger side of the truck filled with a green leafy substance and a small pipe used to smoke marijuana. Cox was also charged with possession of paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

The truck's keys were left inside the truck, which was valued at $35,000, Ames Police CMDR. Jim Robinson said.

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First-degree theft is a Class C felony, punishable by 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

According to court records available online Cooper has been charged with second-degree robbery, forgery, first-degree theft and assault in Polk County in the past.

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The below information was provided by the Ames Police Department. An arrest doesn't indicate a conviction. To see other charges search for police blotter.

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Sept.7

Nicholas Brady, 19, Wilson, was charged with second-degree theft at 5:35 p.m.

Jessica Brooks, 36, Malverne, was charged with fifth-degree theft at 6:30 p.m.

Andrew Brown, 18, Duff Avenue, was charged with possession of a controlled substance at 11:35 a.m.

Sept. 8

Michael Gardner, 39, Des Moines, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and public intoxication, at 12:56 a.m.

Deantwan Jackson, 23, Tripp Street, was charged with fifth-degree criminal mischief at 1:30 p.m.

Jack Morrison, 19, Beach Ave., was charged with public intoxication, first offense; at 7:23 p.m.

Sept. 9

Andrew Lehmann, 18, of Boone, was charged with possession of a controlled substance at 2:37 a.m.

Sept. 10

Ellis Cooper, 35, Lincoln Way, was charged first-degree theft and driving under suspension, and interference with official acts, at 7 p.m.

Bryan Cox, 35, of Gilbert was charged with first-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia at 7 p.m.

Carson Froehlick, 20, Walton Drive, was charged with possession of a schedule five substance and drug paraphernalia at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 11

Justus Buckels, 19, Meadow Place, was charged with possession of alcohol under legal age and disorderly conduct at 11 p.m.

Logan Maffett, 21, Wyngate Drive, was charged with driving under suspension and possession of a controlled substance at 4:35 p.m.


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