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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- An Ottumwa business owner is thanking the community and KTVO after police make an arrest concerning their missing property.

According to the Ottumwa Police Department, James “Jimmy” Wright, 34, of Ottumwa, is accused of taking property belonging to Christner Contracting.

According to officials, the department received information about the stolen property being in a storage building in Eldon, Iowa. Officers from the department went to investigate, and the outcome was Wright’s arrest.

KTVO spoke with Dee Christner from Christner Contracting about the arrest.

Christner was pleased that the community listened to her plea.

“We had a gentleman who came to our office, and he had the information. He saw my plea on KTVO, and that is why he knew we had some tools taken; that in-turn lead to the arrest of a person last night. So, justice prevailed, and we just want to thank the community for hearing what we had to say and for doing the right thing,” stated Christner.

Although some of their tools were recovered, Christner says that they will have to remain in police custody.

“We will not be able to re-cooperate our tools at this point and time because that goes into evidence, so we are still out the loss. It means more to us that justice was served and it gives you hope when you have something like this happen. It is like, oh my goodness; what is your community coming too? However, when someone else comes in and does a positive thing like that, it lets you know it is all still good,” said Christner.

Wright is being held in the Wapello County Jail on $10,000 bond. In Iowa, theft in the first degree is a class “C” felony.

Lt. Tom McAndrew released this statement Thursday afternoon regarding the case.

“The Ottumwa Police Department is currently trying to locate equipment that was stolen from the construction trailer that has not yet been recovered. Anyone who has information regarding tools or equipment that they received from Wright, or helped Wright move since February 20^th, is asked to call the Ottumwa Police Department Investigations Unit at 641-683-0639.

The original story can be viewed here.