News : Stolen Tahoe recovered in Cedar Rapids; linked to drug parahernalia arrest in Benton County

The Benton County Sheriff's Office has solved the theft of a 2009 white Chevy Tahoe reported taken from the residence of Ryan and Kendra Coleman southwest of Vinton (near County Home Road/V61) overnight on Sunday-Monday, and reported to authorities Monday morning. On Monday night, the Benton County Sheriff's Office released the following information: At about 6:10 am a suspicious vehicle being a silver van was reported in a field in the 5900 block of 29^thAve, about 5 miles north and east of Vinton. Benton County Deputy Sheriff responded to this call, and located 2 subjects sleeping in the vehicle. After making contact with the subjects in the vehicle it was reported that a third subject had also been the van earlier in the morning but had left on foot. The owner of the van, Joshua Conklin of Cedar Rapids, was arrested and transported to the Benton County jail for possession of drug paraphernalia. A short time later a white 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe was reported stolen from a residence in the 2900 block of 29^thAve. It is suspected that the stolen Tahoe was driven back to the Cedar Rapids area. The Iowa State Patrol assisted at the scene of the suspicious vehicle incident. Both incidents remain under investigation by the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Kendra Coleman said Tuesday morning that the man who stole the truck was arrested in Cedar Rapids. The couple does not know the name of the man arrested for the theft, but the vehicle has been returned to the family. Area residents are asked to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity; law enforcement officers remind the public to keep cars locked. Anyone who observes suspicious activity should call the Benton County Sheriff's Office at 319-472-2337.