Two western Iowa men were arrested today (Thursday, July 7^th), on theft charges associated with missing livestock and Ag machinery. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 19-year old Benjamin Lee Petersen, of Audubon, and 20-year old Christopher Joe Groninga, of Dunlap, were arrested as the result of an investigation into the theft of livestock on June 6^th from the 2900 Block of Goldfinch Avenue, and the theft of machinery June 23^rd from the 1600 Block of 315^th Street in Audubon County.

Petersen and Groninga both faces charges of Theft in the 2^nd degree. Groninga faces an additional possible charge of Aiding and Abetting theft in the 2^nd degree. Petersen was being held in the Audubon County Jail on $5,000 bond, while Groninga was seen by the magistrate and released, with orders to appear for his preliminary hearing on July 25^th.

The thefts remain under investigation.

Officials say also, 48-year old Alan Kenneth Bramer, of Perry, was arrested Wednesday on an outstanding Audubon County warrant charging him with a burglary that occurred on April 2010, in Ross. Bramer was taken into custody immediately upon his release from the Clarinda Correctional Facility. He was being held in the Audubon County Jail on $5,000 bond.

And, 29-year old Joseph Mark Zaiger, of Audubon, was arrested Wednesday on an outstanding Audubon County warrant charging him with theft in the 5^th degree, in connection with a check written to an Audubon business in March. Zaiger appeared before a judge and was released from custody.