A 42-year-old Clinton man, Jay Kostka, was arrested on Sunday after he was accused of attempting to steal spools of wire valued at $15,000. According to court records, Kostka faces several felony charges, including first-degree theft, second-degree criminal mischief, and conspiring to commit a non-forcible felony. He also faces a serious misdemeanor charge of trespassing causing damage over $300.
The theft attempt occurred on the morning of July 27, when the Scott County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the incident from the 27000 block of 283rd Avenue in Princeton. Court affidavits indicate that Kostka and his co-defendants had conspired to steal wire and spools between July 20 and August 2, resulting in $5,500 in property damage.
Kostka and his co-conspirators were on the victim’s property without permission, and during the theft attempt, the property was damaged. Kostka was arrested on a warrant and is currently being held at Scott County Jail on a $20,000 bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 3 at the Scott County Court.
