According to a Mahaska County Sheriff’s press release, a representative from the Fremont Elementary School contacted the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office on report of a burglary.

The burglary occurred at the school the night prior to October 27, 2017. Approximately $9,000 worth of electronic devices had been taken from the school.

As a result of the investigation into this matter, on November 25, 2017, Sheriff’s Officials charged 28-year-old Joel Thorn Welch, Fremont, and 24-year-old Blake Tyler Cassatt, Fremont, with Burglary in the Third Degree and Theft in the Second Degree. Both individuals were also charged with Possession of Marijuana.

Arrest warrants were issued for both Welch and Cassatt.

Welch was arrested as his residence, pursuant to this warrant, on November 27th. Cassatt remains at large on his warrant.

Burglary in the Third Degree and Theft in the Second Degree are both class D felonies.