Adam L. Schrodt, 39, and Tasha L. Becker, 37, were arrested around 11 a.m. in Hy-Vee’s parking lot after a tip from satellite radio service provider Sirius XM regarding a 2020 Dodge Challenger stolen through a bad check written to an Urbandale dealership.

Fort Dodge police were notified of the Challenger’s theft on Nov. 30 by the Urbandale Police Department before a call came in to the Webster County Telecommunications Center Tuesday morning from Sirius XM, notifying local authorities that the car was on the west side of Fort Dodge. As officers responded, new information was relayed that the car was in the Crossroads Mall area.

Fort Dodge police and Webster County sheriff’s deputies apprehended the couple as they walked back to their parked vehicle. Both had outstanding warrants for fraudulent practice from the Sheriff’s Office.

Criminal complaints say the couple wrote $208,606 in bad checks to Fort Dodge businesses, all returned for insufficient funds, or through a fake Charles Schwab account. In one instance, the reports said the defendants sent emails to a dealership promising to wire money while posing as a bank employee.

Adam Schrodt

In addition to the 2020 Dodge Charger, complaints report the couple allegedly purchased the following vehicles in a heist that lasted from July to October.

• A 2019 Volkswagen Jetta from Fort Dodge Motors for $13,958.

• A 2016 Dodge Charger from Lacina Auto in Fort Dodge for $24,939.

• A 2021 GMC Yukon from Kemna Auto in Fort Dodge for $79,599.

• A 2019 Ford F-150 from Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota for $84,212.

The couple allegedly acquired the first three vehicles on Sept. 14. At the beginning of September, police said subpoenaed bank records showed their bank account at a negative balance of nearly $3,000.

The Yukon was eventually left in a public location for Kemna’s retrieval with over 1,000 miles on it and a need for extensive cleaning.

Becker faces the following charges:

• First-degree fraudulent practice, a Class C felony

• Ongoing criminal conduct, influence enterprise, a Class B felony

• First-degree theft, a Class C felony

Schrodt faces the same charges, with one additional charge of first-degree theft.

Both are held in the Webster County Jail on a $45,000 cash only bond. Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for Dec. 11.