A home surveillance camera captured what appears to be an attempted burglary in progress by a man later identified as Timothy Evans, who is accused of murdering Gina Fredericksen in her nearby garage just a few hours later.
The alleged burglary attempt took place at about 4:38 a.m. April 29 at 2101 Haven Court SW. The surveillance video was provided to The Gazette by the homeowners.
The Cedar Rapids Police Department has asked any other neighborhood residents with similar photos or video of “suspicious activity” occurring between 4 and 8:30 a.m. April 29 to contact the department at 319-286-5491.
Shortly after 7:30 that morning, neighbors called 911 after hearing an explosion at 1814 I St. SW. Fredriksen was found in the doorway of her burning garage with “traumatic injuries to her head and other parts of her body,” according to a criminal complaint.
Evans, arrested Tuesday, is accused of killing the mother of three after breaking into her garage. He has been charged in Linn County District Court with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and first-degree arson.
The police investigation revealed this was random act that started out as a burglary of the garage and turned into a robbery that led to the fatal assault of Frederiksen, the complaint shows.
Evans remains in the Linn County Jail on a $2 million bail.
Police previously told The Gazette about three southwest burglaries of detached garages, which occurred Saturday night into early Sunday, that were being investigated for any possible connection to Frederiksen’s homicide.