GLADBROOK – An elderly, rural Gladbrook couple was robbed while asleep last November, leading to the arrest of three area teenagers.

In connection with the case, Kaeden James Feeney, 18, of Aplington was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Department in Gladbrook on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, and charged with one count of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony, along with one count of second-degree theft, a Class D felony. An accomplice, Isaac Allen Youngton, 18, of Kesley was arrested on the same charges two days later on Monday, Jan. 5, by the Tama County Sheriff’s Department in Gladbrook. Both have since posted bond and been released.

A third, minor defendant in the case was previously arrested on Nov. 14, 2025.

According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 9, 2025, a burglary occurred at the rural residence of Curtis Plaehn northeast of Gladbrook. Around 10 p.m. that evening, three juvenile suspects, including Feeney and Youngton, allegedly “approached the residence with apparent premeditation.”

“The suspects parked their vehicle near the property’s mailbox … to avoid detection by the homeowners and then proceeded toward the residence while the victims, an elderly couple … were asleep inside,” the complaint states.

Kaeden James Feeney. BOOKING PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TAMA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

After unlawfully entering the property, the suspects are alleged to have removed three shotguns along with ammunition. Statements by Feeney allege that the minor suspect claimed ownership of the firearms and used this claim to convince both Feeney and Youngton to participate in the burglary, per the criminal complaint.

Following the burglary, all three allegedly traveled back to their home area in Butler County “where they used the stolen shotguns to shoot at various objects, including stop signs and animals. This conduct demonstrated a continued pattern of reckless behavior and disregard for public safety.”

The complaint goes on to state that while there is “no evidence that all three individuals entered the [victims’] residence … their collective involvement in planning, transport, and post-offense conduct established grounds for charging each as an accomplice.”

The three stolen shotguns plus partial ammunition were later recovered at Feeney’s Aplington residence. Cellphone messages, including Snapchat communications, are listed as “potential evidence” in the case that may “further corroborate [the suspects’] planning, actions, and cover up related to the offense.”

During an interview conducted on Nov. 14, 2025, the minor suspect in the case is alleged to have “confessed to his involvement in the burglary and confirmed the participation of Youngton and [Feeney].”

Isaac Allen Youngton. BOOKING PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TAMA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

On Jan. 6, 2026, both Feeney and Youngton made initial appearances in custody in Tama County District Court on charges. A preliminary hearing was set for this past Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m. for Feeney, while Youngton’s preliminary hearing was set for last Friday, Jan. 16. Youngton’s hearing was waived on Jan. 8, by his then-appointed attorney, Joel Waters of Marshalltown. On Jan. 12, Waters was allowed to withdraw from the case after Youngton retained counsel with D. Raymond Walton of Waterloo.

Feeney is being represented by Scott Hunter of the Marshalltown Public Defender’s Office.

As of press time, no further information, including arraignment, was available for either defendant.

On Nov. 25, 2025, temporary no contact orders for the victim in the case were issued against both Feeney and Youngton. Both orders include a firearms warning.