Rock Island man accused of stealing phones and bringing drugs into a jail

Rin Swann, News Reporter


A Rock Island man has been accused of taking multiple phones and bringing marijuana into a prison. 

Shadarake Niyonkuru, 21, was charged March 20 with second-degree theft, possession of contraband in a correctional facility, and possession of a controlled substance. 

According to the arrest affidavit, Niyonkuru asked an employee of the store to view two iPhones, an iPhone 8 and an iPhone 8 plus. When the employee was not looking, Niyonkuru grabbed both phones and sprinted out of the store without paying for them. The total cost of the stolen phones was $1,400. 

Upon arrival at the Johnson County Jail, officers discovered he possessed a clear bag of marijuana on his person. 

Second-degree theft and possession of contraband in a correctional facility are both Class-D felonies.