MANCHESTER, Iowa (KCRG) – Police have identified a suspect in an ongoing investigation involving break-ins at multiple businesses across the state. Manchester police say there is a warrant out for the arrest of 65-year-old Kevin Young of Cedar Rapids in connection to the break-ins. Police say he is one of two possible suspects involved in a break-in at the Cork N’ Bottle liquor store in Manchester on Dec. 31, 2024. The two suspects in that break-in used a crowbar and pry tools and stole cash and cigarettes. Investigators said several other businesses across the state were also burglarized in the same manner, with possibly matching suspects. Law enforcement executed search warrants of two homes and two vehicles in Marshalltown on Jan. 16, 2025. One of the vehicles was a green 2003 Chevy Silverado, which investigators say was seen on surveillance video near burglaries in Ryan, Manchester and Luxemburg. During the search of the vehicle, officers say they found a receipt from a Manchester Kwik Star from about an hour before the break-in. The passenger in the Silverado had gone in to pay for $20 of gas, which was paid in cash. Before the person left, two phone numbers were provided to receive rewards points. That person has been identified as Kevin Young. Police said Young was wearing the same clothing an hour later inside the liquor store. Young now has warrants out for his arrest for burglary and possession of burglar’s tools. He currently remains at large. The investigation remains ongoing. There may be additional charges filed in this case. Anyone with information about Young’s whereabouts is asked to contact local law enforcement. Police have not released information about the other suspect in the case.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) – Residents of a home were taken to the hospital after a fire in Cedar Falls late Friday night. Officials were dispatched to the 3800 block of Laurinda Drive for reports of a kitchen fire around 11:30 p.m. Upon arrival, first responders said residents of the house had mostly extinguished the fire. Firefighters then finished putting it out. Residents of the home were transported to the hospital for medical evaluation. Officials did not say how many residents were taken to the hospital or the status of their condition.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (KCRG) – A man who was serving a life term for crimes in Black Hawk County has died at the Hospice Room of the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility. John Henry Epps died at 11:05 p.m. on Wednesday. He was 67-years-old at the time of his death. According to court filings, Epps was 23-years-old when he and his younger brother were charged with the murder of 87-year-old Thomas McNally, who died in July 1980 after being injured during a burglary at his home. Epps began his sentence on April 4, 1981.
OXFORD, Iowa (KCRG) – Phill, the water buffalo that gained a social media following after spending several days on the run in central Iowa last year, has died, the Iowa Farm Sanctuary said Friday. Phill escaped from its owner in Pleasant Hill in August 2024. A law enforcement officer shot Phill as officers tried to capture him. The water buffalo was eventually captured by law enforcement and animal welfare agencies. Phill had been in the care of the Iowa Farm Sanctuary ever since. In an update on his condition on Thursday, the Iowa Farm Sanctuary said he was taken to the hospital after staff noticed he was less interested than usual in eating, and he could hardly keep his balance as he was being moved back into a heated barn. He also hung his head and his ears were droopy. In a follow-up on Friday, staff said Phill “began to crash and his doctors called to tell us there was nothing they could do.” “He was the sweetest, most gentle and forgiving soul,” the Iowa Farm Sanctuary said in a social media post.
