ISU Basketball Coach ‘Mayor’ Fred Hoiberg’s Signature is Missing

A spate of car burglaries continues in West Des Moines, but at least one person associated with the crimes has been apprehended.

Authorities were called to West Glen Town Center about 5:30 a.m. Friday on a tip that a 26-year-old West Des Moines man had smashed windows on an SUV, rummaged through it, and then picked up a basketball and laptop computer before leaving in a vehicle that later proved to be stolen.

The suspect, later identified as Thomas Aaron Woods, 23, of 258 52nd St., was apprehended in a traffic stop and charged with drunken driving and first-degree theft of an automobile, according to reports on file at the West Des Moines Police Department.

Sgt. Steve Areges stopped the gray Honda witnesses to the car burglary had described after he witnessed the driver weaving from side to side, varying his speed and driving erratically, according to the report.

Related: More Reports of Thieves Working Over the Work-Out Crowd

Woods was evasive about the ownership of the gray Honda, saying that “a buddy” by the name of Brad had allowed him to drive it after they parted ways at an area pub. However, when police checked the registration, it belonged to another man who said he had never met Woods nor had he allowed him to borrow his car.

During roll call, another West Des Moines police officer, Shawn Miller, recalled hearing about the basketball and computer Woods reportedly picked up before leaving in the Honda.

Those items were reported missing after a West Glen Town Center business, Country Financial, 650 S, Prairie View Drive, reported that bar stools matching those on the patio at a nearby bar apparently had been used to shatter a full glass window at the business.

A laptop valued at $1,000 and the Hoiberg-autographed basketball, valued at $150, were missing.

Police did not find the basketball when they searched Woods’ residence, but they did confiscate a laptop computer, according to the reports.

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