Burglary Suspect Remains At Large

Blake Tyler Cassatt

A Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On October 27th, 2017, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a representative of the Fremont Elementary School (525 East Main Street). It was reported that a burglary had occurred at the school on the previous evening. Approximately $9,000 worth of electronic devices had been taken from the school.

As a result of the investigation into this matter, on November 25th, 2017, Sheriff’s Officials charged 28-year-old Joel Thorn Welch of 107 East Washington Street in Fremont and 24-year-old Blake Tyler Cassatt of 819 East Main Street in Fremont with Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Theft in the 2nd Degree. Both subjects were also charged with Possession of Marijuana. Arrest warrants were issued for both Welch and Cassatt.

Welch was arrested at his residence, pursuant to this warrant, on November 27th. Cassatt remains at large on his warrant. Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Theft in the 2nd Degree are both class “D” felonies.

A criminal charge is merely a criminal charge and not an indication of guilt. All suspects should be considered innocent until proven guilty.