Police blotter – August 2017

Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:

Thursday, Aug. 31: At 2:37 pm staff at A&W reported an abandoned bicycle there. The officer placed the bike in the impound lot. At 5:44 pm staff at Hy-Vee reported a female had just left the store without paying for her groceries. The officer made contact with the female at her residence. She advised she thought she had paid for the items. The business allowed her to bring the items back and pay for them.

Wednesday, Aug. 30: Routine activity reported.

Tuesday, Aug. 29: Routine activity reported.

Monday, Aug. 28: At 4:43 pm officers checked the area of Vest and S. Chestnut Sts after receiving a 911 open line call. No issues were located in the area. At 11 pm a traffic stop was performed at Highways 30 and 4, resulting in Robert Allen Lindahl of Perry being cited for driving while suspended. The vehicle was towed, as Lindahl could not drive it away with no license. During an inventory of the towed vehicle officers located suspected methamphetamine. The inventory was ceased and the officer is applying for a search warrant to remove suspected narcotics for testing. Charges are pending the lab results.

Sunday, Aug. 27: At 1:25 am a traffic stop in the 600 block of S. Wilson led to the arrest of Madison Rae Payne, 18, of Fort Dodge for possession of alcohol underage- second offense (simple misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for improper use of lane. At 4:57 pm a complainant reported a stray dog in the 1100 block of McDuffie Drive. The officer returned the animal to its owner and learned it had broken its chain to become free.

Saturday, Aug. 26: At 12:43 pm a complainant reported a small, deceased dog in the street in the 600 block of S. Walnut St. The officer located the animal’s owner, who came and retrieved the elderly dog for burial. At 3:39 pm a complainant reported a vehicle had forced him off the roadway on Hwy 4 at 170th St. The vehicle continued south towards Jefferson. The officer did not locate the vehicle. At 7:50 pm a complainant brought a puppy to the LEC he had found near Squirrel Hollow Park. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.

Friday, Aug. 25: At 3:22 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the parking lot at Wild Rose Casino. Michelle Morlan of Woodward and Phyllis Staebler of Jefferson began backing from opposite parking spots and backed into each other. Damage to Morlan’s 2015 Ford Escape and to Staebler’s 2003 Pontiac Bonneville were estimated at $500 each. At 5:04 pm a complainant reported a stray dog following her as she walked in the 500 block of N. Wilson. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.

Thursday, Aug. 24: At 5:06 pm a complainant reported a burglary at a residence in the 700 block of W. Mahlon St. Tools valued at $200 were missing from the residence. The officer is investigating.

Wednesday, Aug. 23: At 10:3 am a caller requested a welfare check on a resident. The officer made contact with the female, who was fine. The officer knew there was an outstanding arrest warrant for the female ad placed her in custody. Kathleen Ann Specht, 58, of Jefferson was arrested on the Greene County warrant for probation violation*. At 10:04 am a caller requested assistance in locating her adult son. He had left a group home in Des Moines and was now believed to be in Jefferson. The male had been entered as a “Missing Person.” The officer located the subject in Jefferson. He was fine and staying with a friend. The information was passed back to Des Moines PD and his mother. He was removed from “missing” status. At 1:56 pm a caller reported her adult daughter, who has a low mental capacity, was lured on a dating app to Jefferson to meet a male. The daughter arrived in Jefferson and was asked to have sex by the male. She refused and called a friend to come and pick her up. The mother knew a crime had not been committed, but wanted local law enforcement to have the information. At 2:50 pm a complainant reported leaving her wallet on the checkout counter at Fareway. She returned and was advised the wallet was given to the next customer, thinking it was hers. The officer was shown video of the event and the vehicle the female drove away in. At 4 pm, the officer located the vehicle in the 100 block of W. Madison St. He spoke to the female in the video. She was surprised to see the wallet in her purse did not belong to her. The wallet was returned to the owner. The officer determined this was not an intentional theft. At 6:54 pm a complainant reported a possible illegal dumping issue in the 300 block of E. Perry St. At 11:43 pm a local employer reported two workers had not returned with his truck and trailer after working in Sioux City. Neither employee would give the employer an answer as to where the vehicle and trailer were at. At about 2 am, officers located the truck in the parking lot at Wild Rose Casino. The officer watched video of the male subject parking the vehicle there. The officer called the Sioux City PD and they located the trailer at the job site in Sioux City. Charges are pending the completion of the investigation.

Tuesday, Aug. 22: At 12:49 pm an officer investigated a two vehicle property damage accident at the intersection of N. Wilson and State St. Rianna Stott of Jefferson was southbound on Wilson. Leah Barnes of California was eastbound on State. They arrived at the intersection at about the same time, and both left their posted stop signs at the same time. They collided in the intersection. Stott was cited for failure to yield to the vehicle on the right. Damage to her 2010 Ford Fusion was estimated at $1,500. Damage to the vehicle Barnes was driving, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee owned by Daniel Winger of Scranton, was also estimated at $1,500. At 7:56 pm staff at Hy-Vee reported a group of juveniles skateboarding in the parking lot there. Staff had asked the group to leave, but they refused to do so. The officer made contact with the group in the area and spoke with them about the event. He advised them the parking lot was private property and they could face trespassing charges if they return.

Monday, Aug. 21: At 1:29 pm staff at Home State Bank reported receiving numerous counterfeit bills from area businesses lately. The officer is working with the bank and business to investigate the incidents. At 1:48 pm Robert Kovar, 32, of Jefferson was arrested on an outstanding Jefferson PD arrest warrant for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. Kovar allegedly turned the water service on at his residence after it was turned off for non-payment. At 5:08 pm an officer assisted the sheriff’s office with a single vehicle accident at Highway 4 and 265th St south of Jefferson.

Sunday, Aug. 20: At 1 pm a complainant reported being assaulted by her boyfriend in a vehicle while parked in the 300 block of W. Washington St. The officer observed injuries consistent to the report given by the complainant. The officer is attempting to speak to the male, who lives in Ames. The investigation is on-going.

Saturday, Aug. 19: At 12:38 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 1200 block of Southfield Dr. A 2006 Chevy Impala owned by Sergio Perez of Jefferson, was legally parked on the street in the 1200 block. George Byerly of Jefferson backed from a private drive and struck the Perez vehicle. Byerly was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. The Perez vehicle had a reported $1,500 in damages. Damage to Byerly’s 2013 Ford Fusion was estimated at $1,000. At 7:17 pm staff at Wild Rose Casino requested officers for a female patron who had been asked to leave, but was refusing to do so. The officers made contact with the female walking in the 1800 block of N. Elm St. The officers’ investigation led to the arrest of Ashley Ann Reinart, 32, of Carroll for public intoxication and disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanors)*.

Friday, Aug. 18: At 6:06 pm staff at Hy-Vee reported two subjects removing shopping carts. The officer spoke to the couple and served them with “No Trespassing Notices” at the request of the business.

Thursday, Aug. 17: At 10:01 am staff at A&W reported receiving a counterfeit $50 bill. An officer is investigating. At 1:43 pm employees at Kum & Go reported a gas drive off. ***** As reported on Aug. 16, an officer responded to the 700 block of S. Grimmell Road for a male who was in the roadway bleeding. After an officer and EMS arrived on scene, he became combative. This behavior continued to the Greene County Medical Center where he was treated by staff for his injuries. It was determined the injuries were self-inflicted. While at the emergency room, the suspect continued to be violent and aggressive with staff and officers. The suspect spit blood and saliva into an officer’s face. As a result, arrest warrants have been requested for Craigg Michael Smith, 40, of Jefferson for assault on persons in certain occupations (serious misdemeanor) and interference with official acts and disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanors)*.

Wednesday, Aug. 16: At 12:20 pm employees of Farm Bureau spoke with an officer about and abandoned vehicle in their parking lot. At 6:11 pm an officer responded to the Greene County Medical Center for a report of a dog bite. At 6:36 pm Greene County EMS and the Jefferson PD responded to the 700 block of S. Grimmell Rd for a male lying in the road bleeding. Upon the officer’s arrival, he spoke with Craig Smith of Jefferson. Smith appeared to be under the influence of a drug and became combative with the officer and EMS personnel. Greene County EMS transported him to the Greene County Medical Center emergency room where he was treated by the ER Staff. During this time, he continued to be combative and spit saliva and blood into an officer’s face. Charges are pending at this time

Tuesday, Aug. 15: At 7:41 am an officer responded to the parking lot at Oly’s One Stop for a traffic accident. Simone Anthony of Winter Garden, FL, was driving his 2005 Peterbilt semi pulling a trailer. Anthony reported his foot slipped off the brake and the trailer he was pulling made slight contact with a 2002 Dodge Dakota in the parking lot, causing $500 in damages. The owner of the Dodge was not named in the police report. At 12:18 pm Fareway employees reported a theft that had occurred Aug. 2. A female was seen taking two bottles of vodka valued at $38 from the store. The female in the video was recognized as Janon Lezie Olson, 46, of Jefferson. An arrest warrant charging Olson with theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor) has been requested*. At 6:23 pm an officer responded to Shopko for a report of a stolen cell phone. After the initial investigation, a 16-year-old male was charged with theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. *** As reported July 31, the Jefferson PD received complaints of vandalism at a residence in the 100 block of Harding Road. The residence had been struck with eggs and soap and a trampoline had been damaged. As a result of an investigation, three 12-year-old males and one 13-year-old male have been charged with the criminal mischief- fourth degree (aggravated misdemeanor) and criminal mischief- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. *** An arrest warrant has been applied for charging Robert Richard Kovar, 32, of Jefferson with theft- fourth degree (serious misdemeanor)*. The charge stems from a complaint from the city water crew that after the water had been shut off to Kovar’s residence for non-payment, he allegedly turned the water back on, obtaining $240.99 in water.

Monday, Aug. 14: At 1:20 pm city employees reported theft of services at a residence in the 500 block of N. Locust St. An officer is investigating. At 1:21 pm a company reported that a heating/air system was stolen from the 1000 block of N. Wilson on June 22. At 5:15 pm a complainant reported a theft of checks from a residence in the 600 block of S. Cedar St. At 8:19 pm a resident reported illegal dumping at a residence in the 400 block of N. Oak St.

Sunday, Aug. 13: At 3:17 am a complainant reported a vehicle parked in the roadway, with a male sleeping behind the wheel. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Ryan David Baugh, 40, of Jefferson for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. He was cited for stopping on paved portion of highway.

Saturday, Aug. 12: At 9:01 am a complainant reported the theft of clothing from the laundromat. The business owner has provided the officer with surveillance video of the event and the investigation continues. At 9:23 pm during a traffic stop in the 500 block of N. Elm St the officer detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, the officer located a small amount of suspected marijuana and seized it for testing. Future charges are pending lab results on the substance. Randy D. Frazier was issued a citation for insufficient number of headlamps.

Friday, Aug. 11: At 3:25 pm an officer arrested Katelyn Annjolee Alden, 19, of Ames on an outstanding Webster County arrest warrant for failure to appear. At 9:45 pm a traffic stop at E. Russell and Mulberry Sts resulted in the arrest of Jordan Thomas McCleeary, 26, of Des Moines for operating while intoxicated- first offense*. He was also cited for failure to display registration plate.

Thursday, Aug. 10: An officer picked up a loose dog that was running loose in the 900 block of East Lincoln Way. At 12:03 pm officers responded to a car vs pedestrian accident at Harrison RV. Darrin Charlson of Jefferson was driving his 2002 Ford F450 in the private parking lot pulling a trailer when the wheel well of the trailer struck Susan Chaytor. Chaytor had a possible right leg injury, but appeared to be okay. At 5:25 pm a complainant reported a burglary to his vehicle in the Greene County Medical Center parking lot. He advised officers that an iPad 4 was stolen from the vehicle. At 5:25 pm a complainant reported a window broken out of her vehicle in the 100 block of W. Monroe St. ***** Arrest warrants for Shawn J. Gifford, 26, of Bayard, formerly of Jefferson, on a charge of child endangerment* (aggravated misdemeanor) have been applied for as the result of an investigation of an incident July 19 in the Hy-Vee parking lot. A witness reported that a male punched a boy several times and threw him violently into the back of a vehicle. The charges are based on witness statement and video surveillance from Hy-Vee. The Department of Human Services assisted in the investigation.

Wednesday, Aug. 9: At 5:07 pm officers responded to Greene County High School for a fire alarm. It was determined the school was testing their fire alarm system. At 6:47 pm a burglary was reported at a residence in the 700 block of W. Madison St.

Tuesday, Aug. 8: At 11:11 pm officers were advised of a male who had forced his significant other into a vehicle at Wild Rose Casino. Officers located the vehicle south of Jefferson on Highway 4 and initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 4 and 270th St. The driver was identified as Eric Hellman of Panora. The passenger was his significant other, Amanda Abrams, also of Panora. Both Hellman and Abrams advised the allegations were not true and everything was fine. During the investigation, it was determined that Abrams had an outstanding Guthrie County arrest warrant for domestic abuse assault displaying a deadly weapon- first offense (aggravated misdemeanor)*. Abrams was placed under arrest and a Greene County sheriff’s office transported her to Guthrie County. Officers also detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Upon searching the car, they located a green leafy substance in the vehicle along with a smoking device. A preliminary test of the substance showed positive for marijuana. The evidence will be tested at a laboratory and charged will follow pending the results. ***** Charges have been filed after the investigation of a reported assault Aug. 4 at a residence in the 200 block of E. Perry St. Jesse Lynn Crawford, 31, of Jamaica has been charged with burglary- first degree (class B felony), willful injury (class D felony), two counts of assault while participating in a felony (class D felony) and harassment- first degree (aggravated misdemeanor)*. Amanda Fay Lawrence Petrzilka, 32, of Scranton has been charged with burglary- first degree, willful injury, and two counts of assault while participating in a felony*. They were arrested in Scranton by the JPD and the sheriff’s office.

Monday, Aug. 7: At 12:41 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 400 block of S. Elm St. Hannah Gliem of Jefferson attempted to back from a private drive on the west side of the street but struck a southbound vehicle driven by Derrik Bauer of Jefferson. Gliem was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. Damage to the vehicle she was driving, a 1999 Buick Lesabre owned by Essie Kowaleski, was estimated at $1,000. Damage to the vehicle Bauer was driving, a 2000 Buick LeSabre owned by Tri-County Lumber, was also estimated at $1,000.

Sunday, Aug. 6: Routine activity reported. ******* Test results are back on suspected narcotics seized from a vehicle on July 25. Arrest warrants have been requested for Savannah Danielle Baugh, 19, of Ogden for possession of marijuana- first offense (serious misdemeanor) and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. Positive test results were received back from items seized during a traffic stop on July 14 in the 600 block of W. Russell St. An arrest warrant has been requested for Michael Lee Mourlam, 20, of Scranton for possession of marijuana- first offense.* An officer has received test results back from items seized on June 10 on a traffic stop in the 200 block of W. Madison St. Arrest warrants have been requested for Michael Eugene Hamilton, 40, of Jefferson for possession of marijuana- third or subsequent offense and possession of methamphetamine- third or subsequent offense (class D felonies)*. 

Saturday, Aug. 5: At 11 am a complainant reported criminal mischief to a vacant residence in the 400 block of E. State St. At 6:04 pm a caller advised of two dogs in a parked van for several hours in the 800 block of W. Adams St. The officer made contact with the owner, who advised he was periodically letting the dogs out of the van. The officer learned there was an outstanding Dallas County arrest warrant for the dogs’ owner. The officer arrested Tythaniel Paul Sinkuler, 27, of Jefferson on the outstanding warrant for probation violation.*

Friday, Aug. 4: At 5:43 am officers were called to a residence in the 200 block of E. Perry St for a reported assault. Two subjects had entered the residence and assaulted the female renter and a male staying with her. The officers are investigating. At 4:14 pm officers assisted the Jefferson fire department with a rekindle at the house fire at 203 S. Oak St.

Thursday, Aug. 3: At 11:44 am Greene County School officials reported having issues with kids trespassing on the new construction area of the elementary school. At 10:22 pm the police, Jefferson fire department and Greene County EMS responded to a house fire at 203 S. Oak St. Officers arrived on scene to find the east side of the house fully engulfed, where the fire had originated in the kitchen. The fire department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The residence was a total loss. No one was inside the house upon the officers’ arrival on scene, nor was anyone injured due to the fire. While investigating the scene, the Iowa State Fire Marshal Division was called in to assist due to the nature of the fire. The investigation is ongoing. The Iowa State Patrol and Greene County sheriff’s office responded and assisted on scene as well.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: At 1:24 pm an officer located a loose dog in the 1200 block of Westwood Drive and transported it to PAWS. At 2:27 pm an officer assisted the US Marshal Service with an ongoing investigation. At 6:56 pm staff at Oly’s Corner reported a gas drive off. At 11:48 pm as a result of a traffic stop in the 700 block of S. Oak St, Bryce Burkhardt, 18, of Jefferson was arrested for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. Burkhardt was also charged with possession of alcohol under legal age and failure to maintain registration plate. Passengers Logan Scheuermann, 18, of Guthrie Center and Hunter Ruth, 18, of Scranton, along with two juvenile males, were all charged with possession of alcohol under age 18.

Tuesday, Aug. 1: At 8:14 am a complainant reported criminal mischief to yard ornaments at a residence in the 100 block of Sunset Rd. The damage had occurred sometime over the weekend. At 10:19 am a complainant reported a small kitten had come to her door in the 300 block of N. Cedar St. The animal was placed in the animal holding facility. At 6:17 pm a complainant reported criminal mischief to a swing set in the 100 block of W. Vest St. The damage had occurred over the weekend.

Note: All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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