WATERLOO - Breaking in to the truck was a piece of cake for a Waterloo man.

But breaking out proved to be a challenge.

Mark Laures called police Wednesday morning to report a man who was apparently trying to steal his 1995 Ford Explorer from his home on East Donald Street.

But after the thief got inside the vehicle, he wasn't able to get out and was held captive.

"When my Explorer's battery goes down, the anti-theft device kicks in," Laures said.

The thief damaged the dashboard trying to escape but was still inside the truck when officers pulled up.

Police arrested Cash Joseph Burch, 24, of 310 E. Sixth St., for third-degree burglary.

The incident started at shortly before 10 a.m. after Burch got into an accident with his own car, Laures said.

Burch then headed for Laures's house, which had a number of parked vehicles.

"I got 10 trucks up here and only one them that runs," Laures said. "He hopped in one of my vans, but it wouldn't started because the battery is gone."

Next, he got in the Explorer but wore down the battery trying to start it, and the locks kicked in, stranding him inside.

Police were able to open the door from the outside,

He was freed from the vehicle and taken to jail.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.