Dakota Lee Goarcke, 32, has been arrested by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a March 19, 2025 theft of $2,100 of comic books from Bartertown Toys & Collectibles in the Old Capitol Mall, according to a criminal complaint.
Bartertown Toys & Collectibles sells a variety of games, comic books, Pokémon cards, and toys.
After being arrested Wednesday, the Dubuque resident was released without bail and is awaiting his arraignment for which a date has not yet been set, according to court documents.
According to a criminal complaint from March 19, 2025, Goarcke allegedly stole seven graded comic books, meaning the books were officially labeled as high-priced collectibles, according to CGC Comics.
Goarcke was brought to the Johnson County Courthouse and released without bail on recognizance, meaning he submitted, in writing, that he would attend all future court dates and comply with the law concurrent with legal proceedings, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kristen Silver said in an email to The Daily Iowan.
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Classified as second-degree theft and a class D felony, this could result in up to five years in prison and a fine between $1,025 to $10,245, according to Des Moines law firm Clark & Spears Law, PLLC.
Bartertown Manager Jeremy Ziegenhorn described the loss as “significant” but said he was uncertain about whether he’d be reimbursed for the situation.
Ziegenhorn said this was not the first instance of theft in his store after its opening in December 2021.
“I’ve had stuff stolen from me before at a convention by some guy, and they prosecuted him, but it’s like you never see your stuff back,” he said.
Ziegenhorn said that although arrests and prosecutions have taken place in previous incidents, the money has not returned. He said someone stole a $1,000 statute from him at a convention in Des Moines, and although the person was charged and told to pay restitution, Ziegenhorn has not seen any payment yet.
An arraignment date has not been set yet.