The Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested thirty-four-year-old Audra Lee Cole of Wellman for third-degree theft of an automobile, second-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony, and first-degree theft, a Class C Felony. These charges stem from a stolen vehicle report that the Sheriff’s Office received earlier this month.

On August 15th, at around 8:30 am, a black SUV was stolen from the Wellman Water Treatment Plant parking lot. The vehicle’s owner notified the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, who observed surveillance footage of a then-unknown female with short red/pink hair in the driver’s seat of the black SUV. The vehicle’s owner also notified authorities that in the SUV was his wallet containing $25.00 cash and several articles of clothing, including sunglasses and a hoodie.

On August 16th, the stolen SUV was found to be parked at the entrance to the walkway of West Park in Wayland. A single dollar bill was found sitting on the driver’s seat, and the wallet was found in the vehicle, along with the stolen sunglasses and hoodie. Damage was observed to the interior and exterior of the motor vehicle. Security camera footage at the park saw the same short-haired female wearing the stolen sunglasses and hoodie earlier in the day.

Cole’s boyfriend was then approached by police, who notified authorities that Cole was in the vehicle. When confronted by authorities, her appearance was confirmed to be that of the female observed on the surveillance cameras. Cole admitted to stealing the vehicle to try and see her kids, which were taken away by the Iowa Department of Human Services. When asked about the damage to the vehicle, Cole denied ever damaging it and said she had no intentions of returning it to the owner.

These charges were officially filed on August 29th, and Cole was transported to the Washington County Jail and has been issued a $15,300 cash-only bond. KCII will bring you more information as it becomes official.