Hunter
08/21/26
An Iowa City man has been arrested after an investigation determined he stole a Jeep.
The victim reported that sometime in the overnight hours between May 26th and 27th, their 2021 Jeep Cherokee was stolen from the 2300 block of Nevada Drive. It had an estimated value of $20,000.
The suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Jamaa Dargool of Whispering Prairie Avenue, was seen on video at KwikStar driving the vehicle on May 28th, with a juvenile. The vehicle had the victim’s license plates removed and replaced with a stolen set.
The juvenile reportedly used a stolen debit card to prepay for gas, which Dargool then used to fill up the Jeep.
Police allegedly found the stolen vehicle later that day parked on Blue Stem Court, across the street from Dargool’s residence. The vehicle was still displaying the stolen license plates.
Dargool was observed by police walking away from the area where the vehicle was recovered and briefly spoke with him., Their investigation found that Dargool was wearing the same clothing when police contacted him as when he was observed on surveillance video at KwikStar.
A warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday, and Dargool was arrested Thursday. He faces a felony charge of 1st degree theft and could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison if convicted.