Marshalltown man arrested for multiple burglaries tied to crimes in Newton

A 42-year-old Marshalltown man who was arrested for burglarizing numerous businesses and American Legion buildings in Tama County and Marshall County has also been connected to similar crimes in Newton, including the break-in at the American Legion Post 111 that occurred on Christmas Day.

According to a press release from the Newton Police Department on Feb. 5, a joint investigation with the Tama County Sheriff’s Office and the Marshalltown Police Department was conducted after several communities within those jurisdictions experienced multiple burglaries with similar characteristics.

The investigation led to search warrants being executed in Marshalltown, where evidence revealed Matthew Lee Moore was responsible for multiple burglaries, including those that took place at the American Legion, 1101 W. Fourth St. S., and the World Liquor & Tobacco + Vapors, 702 First Ave. E., in Newton.

Newton police charged Moore with two counts of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony. Moore is being held in the Tama County Jail on $150,000 bond. The case is still under investigation with additional charges pending. Although the American Legion burglary was recent, the liquor store burglary dates back to last summer.

In June 2024, World Liquor & Tobacco + Vapors reported a burglary by an unknown suspect who managed to steal a safe containing an undisclosed amount of money. An investigation was conducted but it did not develop any immediate leads. Cash was also stolen from the American Legion.

Tama County authorities have also tied Moore to the break-in at the American Legion buildings in Darwin and Gladbrook. Tama-Toledo News Chronicle’s Ruby F. McAllister reported in late January that Moore — a convicted felon — was also accused of robbing the local Eagles Club.

The Tama County Sheriff’s Office charged Moore with ongoing criminal conduct (Class B felony), first-degree criminal mischief (Class C felony), second-degree criminal mischief (Class C felony), third-degree burglary (Class C felony) and their-degree criminal mischief (aggravated misdemeanor).

Marshalltown Police Department reported four burglaries or attempted burglaries that took place between November 2024 and early January. Video surveillance was recovered from many of these incidents, and footage showed the same suspect and the same vehicle used in those alleged and attempted crimes.

Times-Republican reported in late January that one of the Marshalltown establishments Moore is accused of robbing is the VFW Post 839, which had cash stolen along with undeposited checks, extra keys, the deed to the building and other important documents.

Marshalltown Police Department has filed numerous charges against Moore, including:

• Second-degree theft (Class D felony)

• Third-degree burglary, two counts (Class D felony)

• Violation of sex offender registry, two counts (aggravated misdemeanor)

• Third-degree attempted burglary, two counts (aggravated misdemeanor)

• Third-degree criminal mischief (aggravated misdemeanor)

• Possession of burglar tools (aggravated misdemeanor)

• Fourth-degree criminal mischief (aggravated misdemeanor)

• Possession of methamphetamine (simple misdemeanor)

• Possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)

Jerry Nelson, post commander for the American Legion Post 111 in Newton, said with how difficult it has been for veteran organizations to operate post-COVID, maintain membership and keep the doors open, a burglary certainly doesn’t help matters. Nelson was thankful police were able to follow-up these crimes.

“It’s just low,” Nelson said. “…These organizations are scraping along trying to do the best they can. They don’t need this.”