Bettendorf man arrested after police say he entered warehouse; co-defendant injured
Brandon Saunders faces a felony charge of second-degree burglary and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of possession of burglary tools, Scott County Court records show.
At 12:20 a.m. Sunday on the 100 block of 23rd Street, Bettendof Police were dispatched for a report of a person possibly injured, according to arrest affidavits filed in Scott County Court.
Saunders called from a Grant Street address and 'gave an initial statement that a friend, who is a co-defendant in this case, of his called him stating he was injured somewhere.' affidavits show.
Saunders gave conflicting statements on the location and how he knew the co-defendant was injured, then, affidavits say, 'finally admitted he was with the co-defendant when he was injured and gave the location of the Alter Warehouse.'
Saunders and an officer then went to the location and Saunders pointed to a large hole in the warehouse, saying he and the co-defendant went into the building there, according to affidavits.
Officers searched the warehouse and found the co-defendant with severe injuries, affidavits show. Fire and EMS responders were called to the scene.
The co-defendant said he and Saunders went into the warehouse and the co-defendant fell about 30 feet, affidavits say. Saunders then removed the co-defendant's vehicle keys from his person, 'fled the scene and left the co-defendant for approximately two hours,' according to the co-defendant.
After he was read his Miranda Rights, Saunders admitted to entering the warehouse with the co-defendant, according to affidavits. Saunders said he heard the co-defendant fall and found him injured, took the keys off the co-defendant and left the scene.
Affidavits show Saunders said he had a cell phone on him and admitted it was working, but 'did not call 911 immediately because he knew police would arrive.'
'The Alter Warehouse is a facility closed to the public that (Saunders) had no right to be in,' affidavits show. Saunders admitted to making entry into the warehouse and 'leaving the co-defendant even though (Saunders) knew he was severely injured.'
Saunders said the two went into the warehouse to look for copper, according to affidavits.
Affidavits say that In the vehicle Saunders was driving when he called officers were 'multiple tools that can be used to commit burglary.'
The co-defendant was transported to the MercyOne Genesis Davenport Medical Center emergency department and then flown by MedForce 'to a higher level of trauma care,' according to affidavits.
Saunders, who was being held Sunday on $10,000 bond in Scott County Jail, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 18 in Scott County Court.
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