Suspect Arrested in Jewelry Store Burglary

Photo of John Flagg of Cleveland, OH. He faces charges of burglary and theft.

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Suspect Arrested in Jewelry Store Burglary

By: Nick Weig, Producer

By Nick Weig

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Police tell KCRG-TV9 a burglary case started as a simple traffic stop.

Around 11:15 Tuesday Night, an officer attempted to pull over a vehicle with no lights on. A short chase ensued before the suspect fled on foot. He was taken into custody a short time later with a handbag that contained 43 watches. Another 118 watches were found in the suspect's car.

Police believe they were taken from Ginsberg Jewelry on 2nd Avenue in Downtown Cedar Rapids. Store officials tell TV9 around $195,000 worth of watches were stolen.

Police identify the suspect as John Flagg of Cleveland, OH. He faces charges of burglary and theft.
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The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of KCRG-TV9. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Thursday, May 22 at 3:38 PM SLAP THE WRIST! wrote ...

How long after his next wrist slapping will this guy be back on the street to continue his profitable criminal career? Thanks again, Chicago.

Thursday, May 22 at 2:51 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Take him out back and shoot him. Save the taxpayers some money.

Thursday, May 22 at 11:47 AM Get real wrote ...

This is so typical of the liberal run justice system. This guy has had HOW many charges against him, HOW many times? Maybe we should start incorporating some martial law in this country....along the lines of some foreign countries policies.......of legal age? - you steal, your hand gets cuts off. You steal again, you get killed. I would be willing to bet the crime rate would drop pretty fast! Go liberals and rights advocates! How many more times will this jerk be let out, only to do it AGAIN?

Thursday, May 22 at 10:45 AM Ned CR wrote ...

Serves him right after all he is the one who forgot to turn on his headlights.. LOL - someone was looking out to get this guy caught- Serves him right

Thursday, May 22 at 10:45 AM Nomer Steelin wrote ...

A hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars worth of WATCHES?!? This isn't some hungry teenage parent shoplifting Similac. At what point does petty thievery become grand larceny or armed robbery (smash & grab) or something serious enough to keep him locked in a cage?

Thursday, May 22 at 9:57 AM BTW wrote ...

Is Chicago safer these days since this guy moved to Iowa?

Thursday, May 22 at 8:47 AM poor man? wrote ...

give me a break! why r we feeling sorry for him? HE STOLE 195K WORTH OF WATCHES! we should not feel sorry for him. if he was caught stealing food to feed his family, we should feel bad then. like 11:01 PM veteran officer said he will be out in a few years. he'll probably be robbing another store or home.

Thursday, May 22 at 7:39 AM jackh wrote ...

I HOPE THIS GUY DOESN'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN! I WOULD HATE TO THINK A MIND LIKE THIS IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE GENE POOL

Thursday, May 22 at 12:56 AM Steal Watches, Do Time wrote ...

Maybe he heard that Iowa prisons have good food, roomy cells, comfortable beds, friendly guards, lax rules, and cable HDTV. I say we give this thief lots of time to explore a 6 feet by 8 feet portion of the Iowa prison system.

Wednesday, May 21 at 11:01 PM veteran officer wrote ...

This criminal and his partners are suspected in numerous burglaries in mulit-states where jewelry and watches are taken in smash-and-grabs..His getaway car was an ohio plated rental. Now the bad news.. My experience tells me he may get connected with other burglaries, even if he gets charged with 2 or 3, its a no-violent crime and he'll do no more then 3 years in prison, at a cost of $ 100,000 a year.. He WILL be released only to continue being a stain on society and preying on honest people.

Wednesday, May 21 at 9:21 PM Poor Guy wrote ...

This poor man needs our prayers! We need to pray for his soul! He needs a lot of counseling and therapy. I pray for him!

Wednesday, May 21 at 8:37 PM democrats logic wrote ...

I just cant believe someone like this man would commit a crime like this .He is very obviously a product of his under privileged upbringing and we as a civilized society have a responsibility to reform him at the tax payers expense!

Wednesday, May 21 at 6:05 PM youin89 wrote ...

poor guy, he must have got laid off his job only to have to resort to theft.

Wednesday, May 21 at 4:52 PM some people wrote ...

moron, it is just like those people that get busted speeding when they have 100 lbs of weed in their car.

Wednesday, May 21 at 4:31 PM Good job CRPD wrote ...

Even though sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, thumbs up to the CRPD for getting this guy. I'm sure he'll do some hefty time for this. If anything, he should go to prison for being dumb enough to drive around at 11:30 at night with no lights on and having $195,000 worth of stolen loot sitting next to you.

Wednesday, May 21 at 3:43 PM Be Late wrote ...

Well, at least he shouldn't be late to his court date, with that many watches, he'll know what time it is!

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