Man arrested in connection with stolen tools and forged documents

MT. PLEASANT – A Midwest Precast Concrete employee was arrested on charges of fifth-degree theft (a misdemeanor), second-degree theft and forgery (both Class D felonies) following a multi-day investigation by Mt. Pleasant police.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department initiated an investigation at the Midwest Precast Concrete Facility after receiving reports of theft and arrested 31-year-old Wiliam Motta of Mt. Pleasant.

According to court documents, Matthew Moehle, production manager for Midwest Precast Concrete, provided police with surveillance camera footage showing Motta entering the building at 11:42 a.m. and using a crowbar to break open a tool cabinet.

“Then, surveillance camera footage shows the defendant taking what is believed to be a Milwaukee impact wrench valued at approximately $300,” says a criminal complaint filed by Officer Robert Szewcyk.

In addition to evidence of the theft, Moehle gave the Mt. Pleasant Police Department still images of identification, including an Illinois state identification card and a social security card in the name of Jose De Jesus Garcia.

“An examination of these cards revealed that they were not counterfeit or forged cards,” Szewcyk reported.

Szewcyk reported that city officials responded to these reports of theft on May 29. During a meeting with Motta in Moehle’s office, Moehle entered the office with Motta’s backpack and opened the bag without officers’ request. Inside were three batteries, two chargers, a box of screws and a rebar cutter. The contents of the bag were estimated at about $4,000.

Motta’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, June 7, at 9 a.m. Motta is currently being held in the Henry County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.

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