OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark informed KTVO Thursday that his department has arrested and charged Joel Ryan Luke, 33, of Ottumwa and Forrest Courtney Jamison, 39, of Ottumwa, for stealing the TNA Championship Belt
According to Chief Clark, the department received a report from TNA Enterprises that their belt had been stolen during a show in Ottumwa on August 18th. Chief Clark says that the belt, valued at $6,000, and the replica valued at $400, were taken when the organization had a performance at Ottumwa's Bridge View Center on August 18th.
Chief Clark says that after his department conducted its investigation, Luke was arrested on Wednesday, August 29th, and charged with 2nd Degree Theft. He was released from the Wapello County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond.
Jamison was arrested on Thursday, August 30th, and charged with Accessory After the Fact in connection with the theft. He was released from the Wapello County Jail after posting a $3,000 bond.
Chief Clark says that both belts have been recovered.
Press release from the Ottumwa Police Department:
On August 20, 2012, the Ottumwa Police Department received a report from TNA Enterprises that their heavyweight wrestling championship belt had been stolen during a show in Ottumwa on August 18th. TNA Enterprises is a national professional wrestling organization based out of Nashville, Tennessee. The belt, valued at $6,000.00, along with a replica valued at $400.00, was taken during TNA’s performance at the Bridgeview Center located at 102 Church Street in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Following an investigation into the theft, 33-year-old Joel Ryan Luke of Ottumwa was arrested on August 29th and charged with Theft in the 2nd Degree in violation of Chapter 714.1. Theft in the 2nd Degree is a Class “D” Felony. Luke was released from the Wapello County Jail after posting $5,000.00 bond.
On August 30th, 39-year-old Forrest Courtney Jamison of Ottumwa was arrested and charged with Accessory After the Fact in connection with the theft of the belts. Accessory After the Fact is an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Jamison was released from the Wapello County Jail after posting $3,000.00 bond.
Both the original championship belt and the replica have been recovered.
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