(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – On Sunday April 15, 2018 at approximately 12:43 PM the Mahaska County E911 Dispatch center received a call from employees at Wal-Mart in reference to a male stealing items from the store.

Officers of the Oskaloosa Police Department were dispatched and upon arrival, they arrested one male subject for the theft. The male was identified as 30-year-old Jeremy Alan Barton of Oskaloosa. It was determined Barton was involved in several theft cases within the past several days at Wal-Mart. After a search of Barton, an unknown cylinder object wrapped in black tape was discovered on his person. This item was later determined to be a homemade explosive device. The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and did respond. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the device to be an offensive weapon and it was properly disposed of in a safe manner.

Barton was booked in the Mahaska County Jail and has been charged with ongoing criminal conduct, unauthorized possession of offensive weapons, possession of offensive weapons as a felon, 3 counts of theft in the 3rd degree, possession of controlled substance 2nd offense, carrying weapons, possession of incendiary or explosive device, possession of drug paraphernalia and 2 counts of criminal trespass. Barton is facing several criminal charges ranging from simple misdemeanors to class B felonies with a penalty of up to 25 years in prison.

-This information was provided in a news release by the Oskaloosa Police Department. It should be noted that a criminal charge is merely an accusation and the subject is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.