Suspect steals truck in Bettendorf, returns it, hops barbed-wire fence, police allege

A 29-year-old Davenport man is in custody after police allege he took a truck from a trucking company, returned it, then leaped over a barbed-wire fence, according to arrest affidavits.

Jeremy Ricklefs, whose address also is listed as Bettendorf in court documents, faces a felony charge of second-degree burglary along with aggravated misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, two counts of third-degree burglary – motor vehicle, third-degree theft, and driving while barred, court records show.

A stolen truck, a return and a chase

Officers responded to a report of a theft at C & W Trucking, 4100 Elm St., Bettendorf, shortly after 6 a.m. Monday, affidavits say.

The complainant victim is a commercial truck driver for the business. He said he saw his personal truck, a 2017 blue Dodge Ram, at 35th and State Street being driven by someone else, affidavits show. The victim was able to identify that it was his truck because of the after-market customization he made to it.

He last knew the truck to be parked in the lot of C & W. He had not driven it since Jan. 21, police allege in affidavits. The victim left his only access to the truck – a key fob – inside it with the doors unlocked, affidavits show. Soon after seeing his truck on State Street, he returned to C & W, saw the truck wasn’t where he had left it, and spoke with a witness who saw the truck leave and then return.

Bettendorf Police arrived, and found the truck parked and locked “in a spot it should not have been in the lot” with the key fob missing, according to affidavits.

Fresh footprints were observed in the snow near the truck. The tread of the footprints appeared to be a Nike brand of shoe. The tracks led to an abandoned semi-truck in a desolate area of the lot. Inside the semi there was apparent “makeshift living space,” affidavits say.

At the time, police could not locate a suspect.

But about an hour later, officers cleared from the original call were called back after the victim saw Ricklefs crawl out from underneath a semi truck near the area the officers had searched.

The victim confronted Ricklefs, who took off from the victim and other staff, running east and “hopping a barbed wire fence in the process.” Officers found Ricklefs lying in the snow. Ricklefs led the officer on a short foot pursuit before he was taken into custody, according to affidavits.

Evidence in a truck, pockets and traffic cameras

The key to the Dodge Ram was in Ricklefs’ pocket. After he was read his Miranda Rights, he admitted to driving he truck and returning it, and also making entry into two semis that were parked in the parking lot.

According to affidavits, Ricklefs also had items that belonged in two semis including a coat, checks, a phone charger and glasses. Additionally, a witness/victim said Ricklefs was in the locker room inside the business showering while a speaker was blaring music. The witness/victim then noticed the particular speaker and a package in the Dodge Ram once it was returned. The package was from inside the business.

Ricklefs was wearing Nike shoes.

On traffic camera footage, officers say, the blue Dodge Ram is seen passing the victim in the 3700 block of State Street heading west. The truck continues west until 23rd Street and then turns around and returns to C & W shortly before 6 a.m. Monday.

The victim estimated a replacement fob is about $300.

Affidavits say Ricklefs, who is currently on probation for multiple charges including theft and burglary, is being held on $5,000 cash-only bond in Scott County Jail. He is set for a preliminary hearing Feb. 2 in Scott County Court.