Rock Falls man charged in Clinton burglaries

Mar. 12—A Rock Falls man has been charged with two counts of third-degree burglary in connection to break-ins last week at both the Riverview Bandshell and Clinton Area Showboat Theater.

Both charges facing Robert M. Keister, 34, of Rock Falls, Illinois, are Class D felonies in the state of Iowa, punishable by up to five years imprisonment.

Keister is currently being held in the Clinton County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

A news release from the Clinton Police Department states that officers responded to the Showboat at 303 Riverview Drive for a reported burglary on Wednesday of last week. Items that had been stolen included musical equipment, electronic equipment, U.S. currency and costumes.

Multiple doors had been forced open at the bandshell as well, court documents state, and electrical wiring had been damaged.

Court documents also state that video surveillance of Riverview Drive showed investigators a dark green Saturn registered in Illinois at approximately 10:15 p.m. last Tuesday parked on the 200 block of Riverview Drive. A single suspect was shown exiting the vehicle and walking toward the Bandshell. The suspect was then shown moving around the Bandshell and returning to the vehicle before heading toward the Showboat.

The suspect was observed at approximately 2:40 a.m. last Tuesday on the south side of the Showboat. At about 3:55 a.m. The suspect is observed wearing a black hat, dark coat with blue jeans and white shoes, and carrying green jackets from the Showboat back to the car.

Detectives thereafter responded to Rock Falls, Illinois, where the suspect and vehicle were located. Some of the items that had been taken during the burglaries were retrieved from inside the car.

Keister admitted to the burglaries of both locations, court documents state. A Yamaha keyboard, the jackets, and other items taken from the Showboat were surrendered.

Clinton Area Showboat Theater board president Chris Streets says that the upcoming season at the theater shouldn't be affected by the burglary. There will be some additional expenses, he said, but most are expected to be covered by insurance.

For more information on the Clinton Area Showboat Theater's upcoming season, go to ClintonShowboat.com