Humboldt, Iowa — On Sunday, November 18th the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary in progress in the 2700 mile of 170th St. The landowner encountered two males in his machine shed that were in the process of stealing items from inside the building.
The two suspects were able to escape before a deputy arrived at the scene.
The deputy who handled the burglary found a vehicle matching the description provided by the landowner in Dakota City.
The deputy contacted two individuals inside the vehicle to investigate. Those subjects were identified as Mark Leeper, 46 from Dakota City and Thomas Hendrickson Jr., 50 from Humboldt.
As the deputy was waiting for backup to arrive, Hendrickson was able to flee the scene in a vehicle parked nearby. That vehicle was later found abandoned in southern Dakota City.
As a a result of the investigation, Leeper was charged with Burglary in the 1st degree, Criminal Mischief and Theft both of which in the 5th degree. Leeper is being held in Humboldt County Jail on $25,600 cash or surety bond.
Hendrickson is being charged with all three similar to Leeper, plus Interference with official acts, simple misdemeanor. His bond has been set at $25,900 cash only.
Anyone with information about Hendrickson’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
The HCSO was assisted by the Humboldt Police Department, the Humboldt Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office and the Humboldt County Attorney’s Office.