Cedar Falls Police Blotter: Forgetful Burglar Stole Filing Cabinet, Petty Cash and Postage

Police arrested James Lee Murphy, 61, of Waterloo, on Nov. 8 and charged him with two counts of third-degree burglary.

According to police, Murphy said he drank heavily and didn't remember breaking into the Cedar Falls lawfirm of Redfern, Mason, Larsen and Moore, 415 Clay St., nor the office of dentist Thomas Strub, 715 Bluegrass Circle, on Aug. 15.

Someone had pried open a window at both locations and crawled inside. At the law firm, a bank bag and petty cash, total value $6, were stolen, and $100 of damage was reported. At the dentist office, a filing cabinet valued at $179, postage stamps valued at $291, and an endorsement stamp valued at $76 were stolen along with $13 in cash.

Police found blood samples at both locations, which were sent to the Department of Criminal Investigations, where they were identified as a DNA match with Murphy, according to police. A search warrant of Murphy's residence found shoes matching footprints found at the lawfirm.

Other arrests:

Nov. 8:

William James Lindaman, male, 38, of 2603-317 Orchard Drive, arrested at 9:25 a.m. at same location, charged with possession of a controlled substance –marijuana-2 and drug paraphernalia.

Lori Carla Swallow, female, 45, of 2603-317 Orchard Drive, arrested at 9:29 a.m. at same location, charged with probation violation, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Tyler Benjamin Albers, male, 23, of 1413 Walnut St., arrested at 12:17 p.m. at same location, charged with striking unattended vehicle and failure to maintain control.

Nov. 9:

Christina Lee Fuller, female, 25, of Waterloo, arrested at 12:24 a.m. at Black Hawk Village and University Ave., charged with habitual offender/barred and driving with license suspended/simple misdemeanor.

Briana Ann Odell, female, 19, of 7708-28 Jade Road, arrested at 3900 Cedar Heights Drive at 2:36 p.m., charged with outside warrant/want.

Niesha Rosetta Oneal-Washington, female, 17, of Waterloo, arrested at 5:31 p.m. at 219 Brandilynn Blvd., charged with theft in the 5th degree.

Nov. 10:

Gabriel Gerard Benoit, male, 33, of 724 Orchard Drive, arrested at 2:43 a.m. at Black Hawk County Jail, charged with false report - law enforcement.

Rebecca Peterson, female, 15, of 6010 Wagner Road, arrested at 3:33 a.m. at 5911-400 University Ave., charged with theft in the 5th degree.

Skylar Lewis, female, 15, of Janesville, arrested at 3:33 a.m. at 5911-400 University Ave., charged with theft in the 5th degree.

Mitchell Allen Bolton, male, 23, of Jesup, arrested at 1:15 p.m. at Cedar Heights Drive and Bicentennial Drive, charged with driving with license suspended/simple misdemeanor.

David Richard Beaumont II, male, 26, of Waterloo, arrested at 2:59 p.m. at 100 block of Oregon Road, charged with OWI/Drugged 1st.

Nov. 11:

Thomas Alan Sellers, male, 53, of 917 East Dunkerton Road, arrested at 9:17 p.m. at Black Hawk Village and University Ave., charged with OWI/Drugged 1st and possesion of marijuana.

Nov. 12:

Robert Earl Anderson III, male, 20, of Waterloo, arrested at 1:04 a.m. at University Ave. and Progress Ave., charged with drug paraphernalia.

Matthew Jordan Velasquez, male, 21, of Waterloo, arrested at 1:04 a.m., at University Ave. and Progress Ave., charged with drug paraphernalia.

Jason Adam Shumaker, male, 27, of Cedar Rapids, arrested at 2:04 a.m. at 601 Main St., charged with consumption in public/intox and criminal mischief/5th degree.

Jade Michael Miller, male, 26, of 714 West 1st St., arrested at 5:56 a.m. at 714 West 1st St., charged with violation of no contact order.

Thomas Charles Kaufmann Jr., male, 43, of 2311 Jaclyn St., arrested at 7:21 a.m. at 404 North College St., charged with operating a motor vehicle without owner's consent, criminal mischief/5th degree, theft in the 3rd degree, criminal trespass and driving with license suspended/simple misdemeanor.

Traci Diane McGinnis, female, 49, of Waterloo, arrested at 6:49 p.m. at 220 Clay St., charged with theft in the 3rd degree.

Nov. 13:

Douglas James Sutherland, male, 48, of 922 Bluff St., arrested at 9:55 a.m. at 315-6C Washington St., charged with failure to appear criminal.