Garner man pleads not guilty to theft, criminal mischief charges

NORTHWOOD  — A Garner man facing numerous theft and criminal mischief charges in Worth County has pleaded not guilty.

25-year-old Dakota Schuver is accused of driving a pickup truck on August 28th that had been reported stolen out of Mason City. Law enforcement officials say they engaged in a pursuit with Schuver that took them through Swensrud Park in Northwood, with Schuver allegedly hitting a fence surrounding a baseball diamond.

Schuver is then accused of abandoning the vehicle and stealing another pickup truck and trailer, driving through rural parts of Worth County, causing over $10,000 in damage before abandoning it.

Schuver was arrested in Cerro Gordo County on January 2nd and was charged with second-degree theft, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal mischief and two counts of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Schuver filed a written plea of not guilty in Worth County District Court on Monday. No trial date has been set.