A man arrested last week in Stuart for allegedly stealing pop cans from a local collection box, was also arrested a felony charge of Theft associated with an incident in Central Iowa. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports on December 10th, Stuart Police responded to a report about a man seen stealing pop cans from a local collection drive. The subject fled the scene and was located hiding in an apartment in Stuart. The suspect was identified as Christopher Grunder.

An eye-witnesses confirmed Grunder was responsible for the theft. During Grunder’s arrest, officers became aware he was in possession of a set of keys to a vehicle. They were able to determine the keys belonged to a stolen vehicle from Ankeny. The stolen vehicle was recovered a few blocks away, in Stuart. Grunder was arrested and transported to the Guthrie County Jail. He plead guilty to the theft of the pop cans, and was subsequently turned over to Polk County authorities.

In Polk County, Grunder faces a felony charge of Theft in the 2nd Degree, for the alleged theft of a motor vehicle in Ankeny. Grunder is also suspected in several other incidents of motor vehicle thefts and burglaries in the city of Ankeny.

The Stuart Police Department was assisted in its investigation by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ankeny Police Department.