Authorities say they’ve caught the man responsible for stealing historical items from a museum in northeast Iowa. A 58-year old Waterloo man has been arrested and charged with theft for stealing some valuable artifacts from the Cedar Falls Historical Society.
David Arnold was charged with first degree theft after numerous artifacts were taken, including antique firearms, bayonets and clothing from the World War I and World War II eras. The value of the items was reported as over $13,000.
Last month, co-workers at the museum became suspicious when they saw Arnold mishandle some items at the facility. Police investigators later learned that Arnold had been keeping the stolen items at a Waterloo home, unbeknownst to the home owners.
They in turn helped police with the investigation and recovery effort. Arnold remains held in the Black Hawk County Jail.
By Jesse Gavin, KCNZ, Cedar Falls