County Attorney explains lesser charge against officer accused of taking dogs

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden said he filed a lesser charge earlier this week against a Cedar Rapids Police officer accused of taking two dogs from a property after he reviewed the investigative reports on the incident.

Officer Robyn Obadal, 36, was arrested on suspicion of third-degree burglary last week after police consulted with an assistant county attorney, but at that time, investigation of the evidence and circumstances leading up to the incident wasn't complete, Vander Sanden said.

Once the investigation was completed, Vander Sanden said he didn't think the intent to commit a theft could be proven and the appropriate charge was criminal trespass, a simple misdemeanor.

A burglary is committed if someone goes into an occupied structure with the intent to commit a felony, theft or assault, and there has to be an  intent to "permanently deprive" the occupants of property, Vander Sanden said.

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said Wednesday criminal trespassing is committed when someone enters a property without the occupant's or owner's permission to remove an item or belonging.

Vander Sanden said his office and the police department have a good working relationship, and officers will consult with him or an assistant on charges if there's an unusual circumstance or some question.

According to the criminal complaint, Obadal allegedly entered the back porch of a home owned by Chad Ramey at 1201 10th St. NW on July 23 and took two dogs from a locked kennel without the owner's permission.

Witnesses told police they saw Obadal enter Ramey's home and take the dogs.

One of the witnesses said Obadal asked for a screwdriver to let the dogs out, according to the criminal complaint. Obadal told the witness she was going to take the dogs home to clean and care for them.

The witness said Obadal then returned the screwdriver and said "this never happened, please don't tell. I was never here," according to the complaint. She then put the dogs in her police cruiser and left.

After the department started a formal investigation of the incident, the dogs were found running at large near Ellis Park, according to the complaint.

Obadal, who has been a Cedar Rapids police officer for 14 years, denied the allegations last week after being released from jail. She claimed the dogs were in unsanitary conditions and animal control had been called to the home several times.

“I did not break into a house, and I didn't steal somebody's dogs,” Obadal said last week. “Anybody who knows me knows I always do the right thing. I don't do the wrong thing.”

If convicted, Obadal faces up to 30 days in jail. She remains on unpaid administrative leave from the department, pending trial.