[CPProt.net] Art thief ordered to pay fine

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Art thief ordered to pay fine 
July 19, 2005
By JEFF ABELL 

jabell at thehawkeye.com 

An out-of-town visitor busted for stealing from vendors at the 2005 Snake
Alley Art Fair last month was fined and released from jail. 

Stephanie Corin Miles, 18, Hernando, Miss., appeared July 1 in Des Moines
County Associate Court where she was fined $250 plus a $75 surcharge and $45
in court costs. 

Miles also was ordered to serve 12 days in the Des Moines County jail, but
was given credit for 12 days already served. 

Burlington police said Miles began her day June 19 browsing the wares of
more than 100 artists at the annual fair, but she ended it in handcuffs
thanks to an observant off-duty Burlington officer. 

According to police, the officer was enjoying the event along with thousands
of other fairgoers when she overheard several witnesses talking about stolen
jewelry. 

Based on the witnesses description, the officer nabbed Miles who was
standing near the burglarized vendors carrying $208 worth of items on her
person, price tags and all. The sticky-fingered patron was detained by the
officer and charged with fourth-degree theft. 

Business-owner's case progresses 

In other court action, the deadline for taking depositions and filing
motions in the case against a local business owner who was arrested April 5
for allegedly sexually accosting a female patron has been set for Thursday. 

Larry Ray Mesecher, 14414 Washington Road, West Burlington, faces a charge
of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Mesecher voluntarily waived his right to an arraignment hearing, and instead
entered a written plea of not guilty May 18 in Des Moines County Associate
Court. 

Mesecher's arrest stems from an incident in April at his establishment,
Edgewater Beach Marina and Cafe. Des Moines County Sheriff's deputies were
contacted by a 35-year-old female who said she went to the establishment on
business and, while there, was touched in an inappropriate manner by
Mesecher. 

According to court records, the woman told police she met with Mesecher
inside the cafe where he allegedly talked about sexual intercourse and oral
sex. 

The woman alleges she tried to leave the cafe, but Mesecher grabbed her arm
and started kissing her. She claimed Mesecher also grabbed her breasts
outside of her clothing, according to a police affidavit. 

Mesecher remains free on bond.