DUBUQUE, IA – On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at approximately 2:28 p.m., Melissa Ann Swenson, a 56-year-old woman from Dubuque, was arrested on a warrant by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department on a complaint by the Iowa Department Of Transportation at 770 Iowa Street by Officer Z. Gehl of the Dubuque Sheriff’s Department. Swenson faces charges of first-degree theft, classified as a felony, and failure to deliver a vehicle title, a misdemeanor.

According to authorities, the first-degree theft charge stems from allegations of larceny involving property valued at an amount that qualifies it as a serious offense under Iowa law. The additional charge of failure to deliver title as required indicates that Swenson allegedly did not comply with legal obligations to transfer a vehicle title, a violation often associated with fraudulent or negligent transactions.

The arrest was documented in public records, which note Swenson’s bond for the theft charge was set at $10,000. Details surrounding the circumstances of the alleged crimes have not been fully disclosed, as the investigation is ongoing.

Swenson was taken into custody without incident and is awaiting further legal proceedings. Court records indicate that her case will be processed through the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County. No additional court dates or outcomes were available at the time of this report.

This arrest is part of ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to address property-related crimes in the Dubuque area. Residents are reminded to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities.

Note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.