2 men accused of stealing $50K from businesses in Idaho and Utah

BLACKFOOT — An investigation by multiple agencies in eastern Idaho has resulted in the arrest of two men, accused of stealing more than $50,000 in items from retail stores.

James Thomas Cooper and Tony Paul Goans are accused of committing multiple thefts in Idaho and Utah and were arrested by the Bingham Joint Investigation Division, with assistance from the Southeastern Idaho S.T.A.R. Team, according to a news release from the Blackfoot Police Department.

Cooper is charged with multiple felony counts, including grand theft, two counts of criminal conspiracy, grand theft by receiving and possession of a controlled substance. He is also facing misdemeanor counts of controlled possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a persistent violator enhancement.

Goans is charged with one felony count of grand theft and a persistent violator enhancement.

Both men have been appointed a public defender. The Idaho State Public Defender’s Office does not comment on active cases.

The investigation into the two men began after a Portacool evaporative fan was stolen from the Ace Hardware store in Aberdeen on June 1, according to the release. The fan was valued at around $3,300.

Surveillance footage and information given to authorities regarding multiple thefts stretched back to May 27, according to court documents. The footage appears to show Cooper stealing multiple items from the Ace Hardware store, including lawn mowers, a tractor and trees.

An individual anonymously reported that Goan had allegedly stolen the fan from the store.

Cooper was arrested on June 5 in Blackfoot. On June 15, the S.T.A.R. Team executed a search warrant on a residence in Power County, where Goan was arrested.

Investigators say they recovered nearly $50,000 worth of stolen property from multiple businesses in eastern Idaho and northern Utah.

The items include lawn equipment, outdoor power equipment, recreational vehicles, utility trailers, kayaks, outdoor furniture, fire pits and the Portacool evaporative fan, according to the release.

“The Bingham Joint Investigations Division would like to recognize the outstanding cooperation and assistance provided by the Power County Sheriff’s Office, Pocatello Police Department, Shelley Police Department, Blackfoot Police Department and the Southeastern Idaho S.T.A.R. Team,” the release states.

Cooper is scheduled to appear for a pretrial conference on Nov. 10 before District Judge Daniel Clark. If found guilty, he faces up to 66 years in prison.

Goan is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge J. Scott Andrew on Aug. 20 at 8:30 a.m. If found guilty, he faces up to 14 years in prison.

Though Cooper and Goan have been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean they committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

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