Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Sunday, Nov. 30: Routine activity reported.
Saturday, Nov. 29: At 1:23 am officers performed a traffic stop in the 100 block of East Lincoln Way on a vehicle that did not signal its turn. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Davy Delane Cooklin, 41, of Grand Junction. Cooklin was charged with OWI-first offense (serious misdemeanor) and cited for failure to give signal*.
Friday, Nov. 28: At 8 am a Durbin Auto employee reported a missing vehicle. The vehicle had been towed by Durbin to its facility on Nov. 26, from out in the county. The officer determined the vehicle’s owner had removed the vehicle before paying the tow bill to Durbin. The vehicle was later returned until the tow bill is satisfied. At 3:31 pm officers arrested John Patrick Springer, 45, of Aurora, CO, on an outstanding warrant from Kossuth County for contempt of court.
Thursday, Nov. 27: Routine activity reported.
Wednesday, Nov. 26: At 1:45 pm a complainant reported a forged check to an officer. The officer has begun an investigation.
Tuesday, Nov. 25: At 1:06 am a traffic stop at Grimmell Road and Highway 30 resulted in an officer arresting Meldon James Fetters Jr, 56, of Bayard for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI)-first offense*. He was also cited for driving while suspended and improper registration plate lamp. At 5:52 pm a complainant reported a burglary in the 400 block of E. Perry St. A shed attached to a house had been entered and items were taken.
Monday, Nov. 24: Routine activity reported.
Sunday, Nov. 23: At 6:07 am an officer was advised of an intoxicated female sitting next to a damaged vehicle in the 300 block of W. Greenewood Road. The female told the officer several times that she had not driven the vehicle to where it was located. The female reported leaving a bar in Early and being abducted. The female was evaluated at the Greene County Medical Center. The officer found several discrepancies in the female’s account of the previous night’s events. A joint investigation with the Sac County sheriff’s office is being conducted.
Saturday, Nov. 22: At 1:19 am a complainant reported a window had been broken out of a truck in the 200 block of E. State St. At 9:29 am an officer took possession of drug paraphernalia that had been turned in at the law enforcement center. At 11:44 am an officer investigated a traffic accident in the 1200 block of N. Elm Street. Jerry Murphy was northbound on Elm Street. Lillian Simmons was southbound on Elm. Simmons attempted to turn left into the Fareway parking lot but turned in front of Murphy’s vehicle. Simmons was cited for failure to yield upon a left turn. Murphy’s 1995 Chevrolet Corsica was a total loss. Simmons’ 2011 Ford Escape sustained an estimated $5,000 in damage. At 2:43 pm Jennifer Lee reported her 2004 Kia Sedona had been struck while parked in the 300 block of Greenewood Road. Donald Wright had backed his 2004 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck from a parking stall and struck Lee’s vehicle. Damage to the vehicles was minimal. No citation was issued as the incident occurred on private property.
Friday, Nov 21: Routine activity reported.
Thursday, Nov. 20: Routine activity reported.
Wednesday, Nov. 19: At 5:14 pm an officer investigated a two vehicle collision in the 100 block of N. Wilson. Jennifer Waters had parted a 2005 Dodge Caravan in a parking stall on the east side of the street. Laurie Wahl parked a 2009 Saturn Vue next to Waters’ vehicle. As Wahl backed from her parking stall, the right rear of her vehicle struck the left rear of the Waters vehicle, causing an estimated $500 in damage to each. Wahl was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. *** On Aug. 8, 2014, a burglary was reported at McAtee Tire, 412 W. McKinley. Two males and a female were seen on surveillance footage entering the business. A safe was stolen during the burglary. On Nov. 7, the Webster County sheriff’s office contacted the police department and reported that the stolen safe had been recovered at 304 S. 4th Street in Fort Dodge during a search warrant executed there. As a result, an officer has charged Kylene Suzanne Rabourne, 36, of Fort Dodge with theft- second degree (Class D felony) and burglary- third degree (Class D felony)*. Rabourne was uncooperative with officers and the burglary remains under investigation.
Tuesday, Nov. 18: At 5:54 am an officer investigated a two vehicle collision at W. Washington and N. Elm Streets. Garrett Rysavy was eastbound on Washington St and had stopped at the stop sign at the intersection with Elm Street, but when he proceded into the intersection he was struck by a northbound vehicle driven by Joe Davis. Rysavy was cited for failure to obey a stop sign. Damage to his 2006 Chrysler Pacifica was estimated to exceed the vehicle’s value. Damage to the Davis vehicle, a 2014 Buick LaCrosse, was estimated at $10,000. The Jefferson fire department assisted at the scene of the collision. At 8 am an officer was advised that someone had turned the school crossing stop signs at W. Madison and S. Elm St so they faced the wrong direction. The officer corrected the issue and was called back a second time for the same issue.
Monday, Nov. 17: At 2:52 pm a complainant reported harassment by a Grand Junction resident occurring in the 300 block of W. South Street. At 3:46 pm an officer investigated a two vehicle collision in the 400 block of E. Russell St. Wilma Willett attempted to back out of a parking stall in front of the elementary school but struck an eastbound vehicle driven by Charlotte Blasnitz. Willett was cited for unsafe backing upon a roadway. Damage to her 2005 Ford Taurus and to Blasnitz’s 2011 Jeep Compass was estimated at $500. At 4:33 pm staff at Shopko reported shoplifting. Two males fled the store and entered a light blue Chevrolet Trailblazer with chrome stripes on the side. An investigation was initiated. At 10:18 pm an officer investigated a backing collision in a private parking lot at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab. Caitlin Davis backed a 2014 Dodge Journey from a parking stall and struck a parked 2008 Kia Spectra owned by Vicki Hannon. The officer estimated the damage to each vehicle at $300. No citation was issued due to the incident occurring on private property. ***Pursuant to a complaint of harassment received on Oct 18, an officer has applied for warrants charging Jeremy Scott Scheffers, 20, of Lake City, with two counts of harassment – first degree (aggravated misdemeanor) and 143 counts of harassment – third degree (simple misdemeanor)*. After being advised of numerous harassing telephone calls and text messages, an officer left a message for the accused to not have further contact with the victim in the case. The defendant then left several more messages from a different telephone number. Bond on the warrants is to be set by the magistrate once the defendant has been arrested.
Sunday, Nov. 16: ***After the completion of an investigation that led to a search warrant being executed at 403 N. Olive Street on Nov. 15, 2013, arrest warrants have been issued for Anthony Rothmeyer, 45, of Grand Junction. Rothmeyer has been charged with possession of controlled substance – marijuana third offense and possession of controlled substance – methamphetamine- third offense – both Class D felonies, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor*.
Saturday, Nov. 15: At 7:54 pm a complainant reported he had been assaulted at Prairie Blue, located at 114 North Wilson. An investigation was started. At 9:05 pm Kenneth Hostetler reported striking a parked vehicle as he moved snow in the Fareway parking lot. Hostetler’s snow blade had struck the left rear corner of a 2003 Honda Civic owned by Linda Groves of Rippey. The Groves vehicle had an estimated $1,000 in damages. The Hostetler vehicle was not damaged. No citation issued due to the accident occurring on private property.
Friday, Nov. 14: At 9:35 pm officers investigated a single vehicle property damage accident at W. Russell and S. Oak Streets. Alexis Hunter, 18, of Scranton was driving a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser owned by Steven Hunter of Scranton when she struck a utility pole at the intersection. Hunter told the officer she dropped her cell phone and attempted to retrieve it when the collision occurred. Hunter was not injured. The vehicle received heavy front end damage and both airbags were deployed; damage was estimated at $4,000. The utility pole, which is owned by Alliant Energy, was destroyed and estimated at $3,500 to replace. Hunter was issued a citation for failure to maintain control.
Thursday, Nov. 13: At 11:27 am an employee at Shelter StorAll at 408 E. Highway 30 reported the locks had been removed from four storage units. It has not been determined as yet if anything had been taken from within the units. At 2:03 pm Cathy Hammel reported a hit and run accident in the 1000 block of Westwood Drive. She was preparing to turn into a private driveway when an older Chevrolet pickup truck pulling a black trailer passed her. As the truck passed, the trailer struck the driver’s side of her 2013 Ford Escape, causing an estimated $500 in damage. The driver of the truck did not stop. The incident remains under investigation. At 5:12 pm an employee at Fareway reported shoplifting. The officer arrested Jacob Stanley Eischeid, 22, of Jefferson on a charge of theft-fifth degree. Eischeid was additionally charged of possession of marijuana-first offense after he was found to be in possession of hashish*. ***Pursuant to an investigation regarding several burglaries and the theft of two vehicles in September in Jefferson, warrants have been issued charging Barry Arthur Downs, 20, of Nevada with ongoing criminal conduct – Class B felony, four counts of theft- second degree- Class D felony, five counts of burglary-third degree- Class D felony, criminal mischief- second degree – Class D felony, two counts of theft- third degree – aggravated misdemeanor, theft-fourth degree-serious misdemeanor, possession of stolen property- fifth degree- simple misdemeanor, possession of a controlled substance- to wit methamphetamine- first offense- serious misdemeanor, possession of a controlled substance- to wit marijuana- first offense- serious misdemeanor and possession of drug paraphernalia*. Warrants have been issued for Erin Michelle Burnie, 34, of Jefferson charging her with ongoing criminal conduct, five counts of burglary- third degree, three counts of theft- second degree, two counts theft third degree, theft- fourth degree, possession of stolen property- fifth degree, possession of a controlled substance- first offense 1st offense, possession of a controlled substance – to wit marijuana – first offense – serious misdemeanor and possession of drug paraphernalia*. The charges stem from a series of garage burglaries, theft of property and vehicle thefts during the month of September. Officers executed a search warrant on Sept. 26 at 500 E. Clark St and numerous items, including a stolen vehicle, were recovered. Items were recovered furthering an investigation into a stolen vehicle and property from Story County and property was recovered in a Tama County case which involved property stolen in Jefferson.
Wednesday, Nov. 12: While on patrol an officer locked a vehicle on radar at N. Pinet and W. Wall St at 45 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle as the vehicle pulled into a private drive on the east side of Shopko. While speaking to the driver, the officer made observations leading him to believe the male had been consuming alcohol. The officer asked the driver to perform standardized field sobriety test; the driver declined to do so. The driver made statements to the officer that he was going to make the officer shoot him. As a Greene County sheriff’s deputy arrived at the officer’s location, the suspect made statements making the officer believe that he was going to flee on foot from the officer. The officer attempted to arrest the suspect at which time he refused to comply with the officer’s request and a struggle took place on the ground. A search of the defendant’s vehicle incident to arrest revealed suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Jeffrey Lynn Jones, II, 37, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (OWI)-third or subsequent offense- class D felony, possession of a controlled substance- to wit marijuana- first offense- serious misdemeanor, driving while revoked -serious misdemeanor, interference with official acts -simple misdemeanor, possession of drug paraphernalia- simple misdemeanor and excessive speed- 45 in a 25 mile per hour zone*. At 10:02 am officers assisted the Jefferson fire department with a vehicle on fire in a garage at 207 S. Chestnut St. A 1996 Oldsmobile 88 was a total loss and there was minor fire damage to the garage. At 6:10 pm staff at Dollar General reported a customer’s credit card had been declined and the customer had left the store without paying for merchandise in the amount of $13.07. At 6:59 pm a complainant reported a female in a black coat taking cans out of the donation bin at the Redemption Center. The female left the area prior to the officer’s arrival. At 11:41 pm an officer was requested at a residence in the 900 block of W. Lincoln Way for a possible internet scam.
Tuesday, Nov. 11: At 8:47 am an officer investigated a two vehicle collision that occurred in the Greene County High School parking lot. Alison Gallagher was eastbound in the north end of the lot. Paige Citurs was northbound. Citurs was unable to stop due to icy surface conditions and struck Gallagher’s vehicle. Damage to Gallagher’s 1999 Toyota Camry and to Citur’s 1999 Dodge Durango were estimated at $500 each. No citation was issued as most traffic offenses do not apply outside the roadway right of way.
Monday, Nov. 10: At 4:14 pm an officer was advised of a resident harassing employees at the Hy-Vee construction site.
Sunday, Nov. 9: At 10:41 am an officer investigated a two vehicle collision at E. Washington and N. Locust Streets. Brooke Venteicher was westbound on Washington Street. Samantha Telleen was northbound on Locust Street. Telleen’s vehicle struck the Venteicher vehicle in the driver’s door. Telleen was cited for failure to obey a yield sign. Damage to her 2008 Honda Civic was estimated at $1,000. Damage to Venteicher’s 2004 Ford Escape was estimated at $2,000. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. At 2:46 pm an officer investigated a three vehicle collision in the 300 block of N. Elm St. Philip Stevens was northbound in the inside lane. Dominic Crandall was northbound in the outside lane. Crandall switched lanes and struck the side of Stevens’ vehicle, causing it to enter the southbound lane and strike a southbound vehicle driven by Rachel Grotluschen. Two independent witnesses said they had seen Stevens leave the Subway parking lot two blocks south spinning his tires and fishtailing prior to the collision. Stevens was cited for careless driving. Crandall was cited for turning from improper lane. Damage to Grotluschen’s 2005 Chevrolet Impala was estimated at $500. Damage to Crandall’s 1989 Dodge pickup truck was estimated at $1,000. Damage to Stevens’ 2014 Chevrolet pickup truck was estimated at $5,000. At 8 pm a complainant reported an assault that occurred in the 200 block of W. Harrison St. The incident remains under investigation.
Saturday, Nov. 8: At 1:45 pm a resident turned in two backpacks which had been found in the alleyway in the 100 block of N. Wilson. The backpacks had previously been reported stolen from the playground at the Community Center. At 3:15 pm a complainant spoke to an officer regarding harassing phone calls at a residence in the 700 block of N. Cedar St. At 4:31 pm a complainant reported a large fire at 400 W. Central. The officer found a shed on fire. The officer was told that a cutting torch was being used to tear the shed down when it caught on fire. The fire chief was contacted and it was decided to allow the shed to be completely burned as long as it was supervised. At 6:29 pm a complainant reported the theft of prescription medication from a residence in the 100 block of W. Madison St.
Friday, Nov 7: At 1:53 am a traffic stop at W. Wall St and N. Grimmell Road resulted in an officer arresting Larry Lee Warren Varnell, 21, of Jefferson for driving while barred- aggravated misdemeanor and excessive speed*. He was booked into the county jail. At 9:56 am a complainant reported the theft of a lawn ornament from a residence in the 500 block of W. State St. At 10: 17 pm two separate calls were received of a possible intoxicated driver that was speeding and swerving in the roadway westbound on Highway 30 from Grand Junction. The officer observed the vehicle and stopped it at Highway 30 and Kirkwood Ave west of Jefferson. The officer arrested Jose Gutierrez-Franco, 30, of Norfolk, NE, on charges of operating while intoxicated (OWI)-first offense and excessive speed*.
Thursday, Nov. 6: At 12:20 am the Boone County sheriff’s office requested an officer attempt to locate a missing 16-year-old female from Boone. The officer contacted a local teenager who advised the reported runaway was with her and she would take her home. At 3:07 am staff at Kum and Go reported shoplifting. An investigation was initiated. At 7:15 pm a complainant reported the theft of two book bags from the playground at the Greene County Community Center. One of the book bags contained a flute. An investigation was initiated. The officer will contact surrounding businesses to try and obtain video footage from surveillance cameras in the area. ***On Nov. 2 an officer was advised of two juvenile males breaking into the restroom at Washington Park. Two boys were found near the park on their bicycles. The boys were carrying a baseball bat and a hammer. The boys admitted to breaking into the bathroom. As a result, the two boys, ages 11 and 12, have been charged with criminal mischief – fifth degree and referred to Juvenile Court Services.
Wednesday, Nov. 5: ***On Aug. 2, 2013, an officer was requested to assist the Department of Human Services with an investigation at 1006 N. Walnut Street. Items were found on the property related to the illegal use of controlled substances. As a result of that investigation, an officer has issued warrants charging Ryan James Brown, 42, of Jefferson, with possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine – first offense, possession of a controlled substance – marijuana – second offense and six counts of unlawful possession of a prescription drug – serious misdemeanor*. Warrants have been issued also charging Ashley Lynn Tuhn, 28, of Jefferson, with possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine – first offense, possession of a controlled substance – marijuana – second offense and six counts of unlawful possession of a prescription drug – serious misdemeanor*.
Tuesday, Nov. 4: JPD officers along with the Jefferson fire department and Greene County Emergency Medical Services responded to a gas leak at the Hy-Vee construction site at Adams and Wilson Streets. At 4:17 pm a complainant reported harassment at an apartment in the 1000 block of W. Adams St. At 5:33 pm staff at Compusense reported a suspicious male who had attempted to make a purchase and had two credit cards declined.
Monday, Nov. 3: At 6:36 pm an officer investigated a backing collision in the Greene County Elementary School parking lot. John Woodruff backed his 2002 Chrysler Town and Country van from a parking stall and struck a 2014 Toyota Tundra owned by Carl Behne. The officer estimated the damage to each vehicle at $500. No citation was issued as most traffic offenses do not apply outside the roadway right of way. At 8:13 pm a complainant reported fraud occurring at an apartment at 1000 W. Adams St.
Sunday, Nov. 2: At 11:56 am a complainant reported two juvenile males attempting to break into the locked restrooms at Washington Park. Officers located the juveniles and spoke with them and their parents. Charges are pending at this time. At 1:10 pm a resident spoke with an officer at the LEC concerning the reported stolen wheel barrow from 402 E. McKinley St on 10/29. The resident provided the name of a Jefferson resident who may have mistakenly taken the item from the curb during city wide clean up. The officer made contact with the person, who returned the wheel barrow to the owner. At 5:15 pm two male juveniles came to the LEC and reported that a known male was chasing them through alleys. They reported the male was making threats towards them. The officer located the male in the alley near the LEC. Rafael Partida Jr, 20, of Jefferson was arrested and charged with harassment –first degree – aggravated misdemeanor and disorderly conduct and interference with official acts, both simple misdemeanors.* At 8:43 pm a complainant reported a possible burglary at a residence in the 600 block of N Locust St. An investigation has been started.
Saturday, Nov. 1: An officer performed a traffic stop at W. Central and N. Elm Streets with a vehicle that had no illumination light on the rear registration plate. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Amanda Nicole Christensen, 21, of Hardy for operating while intoxicated (OWI)-first offense and improper registration plate lamp*. While on patrol, an officer located a male coming out of a cornfield near Highway 30 and Grimmell Road. In speaking with the male the officer learned he was removing ears of corn from the field without the owner’s permission. The officer is working to speak to the land owner about possible criminal charges against the male. At 3:38 pm officers assisted the Jefferson fire department at 108 East Central Ave. #7. A golf cart parked near the residence had caught fire. The intensity from the heat had damaged the residence as well. The golf cart was a total loss and valued at $9,000. Damage estimate to the front of the residence was $3,500. At 6 pm a complainant reported being harassed by a known male at 112 East State Street.
Note: All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
