Police blotter – March 2018

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

Saturday, March 31: At 7:50 am staff at Hy-Vee reported 16 separate thefts from the store that were committed by the same suspect. The thefts had occurred between 1/01/18 and 3/01/18. The merchandise taken was food and alcohol products. The officer has requested an arrest warrant for Jill Ranae Kanealy, 35, of Grand Junction for theft- fifth degree (16 counts, simple misdemeanors)*.

Friday, March 30: At 12:35 pm a complainant requested an officer at a residence in the 500 block of S. Walnut St. The complainant wanted to advise the officer he had just had intercourse with a witch, who had placed a hex on him. The officer made sure the complainant was not a danger to himself and others before departing. The complainant continued to call the law enforcement center advising of a witch putting a hex on him. He was directed numerous times to stop calling but continued to do so. At 1:46 am the officer went to the residence to speak with the caller. The officer ultimately arrested Shawn Ellsbury, 49, of Jefferson for harassment- third degree and interference with official acts (simple misdemeanors)*. At 9:58 pm a complainant reported a possible no contact order violation. The officer is investigating.

Thursday, March 29: At 6:43 pm an officer was requested by a deputy to assist with an OWI traffic stop on 237th St near Jordan Ave west of Jefferson. At 9:39 pm staff at Kum & Go reported receiving a counterfeit $20 bill.

Wednesday, March 28:  At 5:06 pm an officer investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident in the parking lot at Greene County High School. Elizabeth Bravard of Jefferson was backing a 2008 Chevrolet Impala owned by Mike Bravard from a parking space when she struck a 2014 Chevrolet Impala owned by Mike Dennhardt of Rippey. Damage to both vehicles was estimated at $500. No citation was issued as the event occurred on private property. At 6:02 pm a complainant reported an unwanted male on his property in the 600 block of S. Cedar St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Shawn Allen Ellsbury,  49, of Jefferson for public intoxication- second offense (serious misdemeanor)*. At 7:27 pm a complainant reported a stray dog running in the area of the 800 block of  W. South St. The officer located the animal but could not get near it to catch it. He attempted to locate a possible owner in the area but could not locate her. At 7:35 pm an officer assisted the jailer and a deputy with an intoxicated, unruly arrestee in the jail. At 9:53 pm a mother asked an officer to check on her daughter at a residence on W. Harrison St as she believed a domestic situation was occurring there. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Justin Anthony Leist, 32 of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault- second offense (aggravated misdemeanor) and obstructing emergency communication (simple misdemeanor)*.

Tuesday, March 27: At 11:46 am officers and the sheriff performed a welfare check on a possible suicidal subject and coaxed her to the Greene County Medical Center emergency room for evaluation. After clearance from the doctor, the officers arrested Lauren Marie Verle Schulte, 23, of Jefferson for disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)* as she had become disruptive in ER during the event.

Monday, March 26: At 1:25 am a complainant reported his neighbor was outside in the yard screaming at a residence in the 500 block of S. Walnut St. The officer made contact with the neighbor, who advised he was outside singing. The officer advised him to go inside and sing. At 12:58 pm a complainant reported unauthorized use of her debit card. The bank holding the card had closed the account and reversed the charges. At 4:27 pm a subject in Oregon called the LEC to report the government was covering up a murder, which occurred in Jefferson years prior. He advised the government was controlling nationwide school shootings, etc. The officer contacted local authorities in Oregon, who are familiar with the caller. They were going to conduct a welfare check there. At 8:03 pm the Carroll PD requested assistance from a Jefferson officer in a “stop and hold” on a vehicle involved in a situation in Carroll. They advised the vehicle was eastbound on Highway 30 towards Jefferson. The officer stopped the reported vehicle at Sparky’s One Stop and gathered information from the occupants for the Carroll officer.

Sunday, March 25: At 3:37 am while on patrol an officer witnessed a driver on Highway 30 cross the center line. The officer followed the vehicle out of Jefferson, eastbound on Highway 30, for observation. The officer performed a traffic stop at Pioneer Ave. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Nicholas Carter Rice, 19, of Rippey for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. He was cited for possession of alcohol under age. At 7:39 pm an officer performed a traffic stop on an officer with dark windows. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Joshua Jay Blumberg, 22, of Callender for driving while barred (aggravated misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for excessive window tint.

Saturday, March 24: At 1:16 pm an officer investigated a “door ding” accident in the Shopko parking lot. Teresa Ball of Jefferson, who was driving her 2004 GMC Yukon, dinged the door of a 2017 Nissan Altima owned by Darcie Buerer of Ogden. The officer estimated the damage at $750. At 8:32 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the A & W parking lot. A driver backed into a 2014 Dodge Avenger operated and owned by Ronald Brubaker of Carroll and then left the area. Witnesses provided the officer with information about the other driver and the vehicle description. The officer located the vehicle and spoke to Clifton Long, owner of the 2006 GMC Sierra. Marcus Long was operating the vehicle at the time. He advised he was unaware he had backed into a vehicle. The Long vehicle had no reportable damage. Damage to Brubaker’s vehicle was estimated at $750. No citation was issued as the accident occurred on private property.

Friday, March 23: At 10:23 am the Carroll PD requested assistance from a Jefferson officer in locating a vehicle that had been involved in a hit and run accident in Carroll. The subject was believed to be living in Jefferson. The officer checked a few addresses and learned the subject had moved to Coon Rapids. He shared the information with the Carroll officer. At 3:47 pm staff at Hy-Vee requested an officer there for a reported theft of alcohol. The officer was provided video of the event. An arrest warrant has been requested for Robert Kovar, 33, of Jefferson for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. At 5:41 pm a resident reported a 2-year-old child unattended in a car in the Hy-Vee parking lot. The officer made contact with the mother when she came out of the business a few minutes later. The officer forwarded the information to DHS. At 8 pm an unidentified subject dropped off a cat at the front counter of the LEC. The officer placed the cat in the animal holding facility. At 10:51 pm a deputy requested assistance from a Jefferson officer for a domestic situation in Scranton.

Thursday, March 22: At 4:12 pm staff at Home State Bank Staff reported possible fraudulent activity. An officer is investigating. At 8:02 pm staff at Shopko reported a possible theft. An officer is investigating.

Wednesday, March 21: At 1:54 am a traffic stop in the 200 block of W. Clark St led to the arrest of the driver. The officer stopped the vehicle due to a registration plate lamp violation. During the stop the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle the officer located suspected marijuana and a loaded handgun. The officer arrested John Taylor Roberts, 19, of Scranton on charges of carrying weapons (aggravated misdemeanor), possession of marijuana- first offense (serious misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for improper registration plate lamp. At 11:18 am a complainant reported overnight criminal mischief to her garage door at a residence in the 600 block of N. Olive St. The officer is  investigating. At 7:22 pm an officer arrested  Paul Nelson, 43, of Jefferson on an outstanding JPD warrant for theft- fifth degree*.

Tuesday, March 20: At 2:43 am a traffic stop in the 400 block of W. Lincoln Way resulted in the arrest of Joseph Alan Winch, 25, of Fort Dodge on a charge of operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for open container of alcohol (driver).

Monday, March 19: At 8:19 am an officer investigated a car-deer Accident at Highway 30 and Flack Ave. Aaron Lewis of Jefferson struck a deer while traveling eastbound on Highway 30. Damage to his 2015 Nissan Altima was estimated at $1,500. At 11:27 pm a traffic stop on Highway 4 at 257th St resulted in the arrest of Brandon Michael Sullivan, 23, of Ottumwa on a charge of driving while barred (aggravated misdemeanor)*.

Sunday, March 18: At 10:423 am staff at Hy-Vee reported the theft of alcohol from the store. The theft had occurred on 3/17. The officer is investigating.

Saturday, March 17: Routine activity reported.

Friday, March 16: At 3:18 pm staff at Hy-Vee reported the theft of two bottles of alcohol from the store. The theft occurred on 03/15. The store provided the officer video of the event. The officer is investigating.

Thursday, March 15: Routine activity reported.

Wednesday, March 14:  At 8:59 am the Webster County sheriff’s office advised of a male, possibly in Jefferson, for whom there was outstanding Webster County arrest warrant. The officer located the subject and placed him in custody for the warrant. Keith Allen Long, 50, of Dayton was wanted for possession of methamphetamine (serious misdemeanor)*. At 2:12 pm a complainant reported the theft of floor mats from his vehicle at Jefferson Carwash in the 900 block of N. Elm St. The complainant had laid the mats just outside the wash bay to dry as he washed his vehicle. The officer was able to view surveillance video from the business and developed a suspect. The officer later spoke to the suspect, who admitted to the theft. The officer is gathering a request for an arrest warrant for Paul Nelson, 43, of Jefferson for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*.

Tuesday, March 13: At 10:37 pm as a result of a traffic stop, Jordan Teeples, 18, of Jefferson was cited for improper registration plate lamp. During the traffic stop, the officer could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After searching the vehicle, the officer located a plastic baggy on the floor that contained suspected marijuana. The evidence will be sent to the Carroll police department for testing.

Monday, March 12: At 2:09 am a complainant reported a violation of a no contact order by email. As a result, an arrest warrant has been requested for Kaleb Lentz, 23, of Scranton for violation of a no contact order (simple misdemeanor).* At 3:53 pm a complainant reported an aggressive dog running loose at the intersection of E. Lincoln Way and Cedar St. Upon arrival, the officer located the dog and it attempted to bite his leg. The dog was deemed vicious and the owner was informed of this. At 3:55 pm an officer responded to the 100 block of E. Washington St for a male and female involved in a verbal argument. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the couple. He learned there was an outstanding Greene County arrest warrant for the female on a charge of domestic abuse assault- first offense. The officer arrested Beth Laurent on the charge. At 6:50 pm officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of S. Wilson for a domestic dispute. His investigated resulted in the arrest of Bradlee Beadle, 47, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault causing injury- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*.

Sunday, March 11: At 6:36 am staff at Casey’s reported a vehicle blocking the handicap parking space. After numerous attempts to reach the owner of the vehicle the officer had it towed from the area. At 9:08 pm a caller advised of receiving a message on Facebook of a domestic assault. The officers arrived as the ale was barricading himself in the garage. The investigation led to the arrest of Chad Lee Ferguson, 45, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault- third or subsequent offense (Class D felony), and interference with official acts and obstruction of emergency communication (simple misdemeanors)*.

Saturday, March 10: At 6:17 am a complainant reported criminal mischief to his residence in the 700 block of N. Cedar St. The complainant suggested a suspect to the investigating officer. At 9:07 pm a complainant reported a female standing beside a vehicle drinking a bottle of alcohol and yelling at children in a van  in the Fareway parking lot. The officer was given a description of the vehicle. The officer did not locate the vehicle at the tie, but a few minutes later an officer saw the described van at Sparky’s. The officer made contact with the driver of the vehicle outside the business. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Amber Marie Benavides, 25, of Grand Junction for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor) and disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for operation without registration, failure to provide proof of financial liability, failure to have a valid driver’s license, and fraudulent use of registration. At 10:47 pm a caller advised of two subject sitting in the street at E. Monroe and S. Olive Sts. The officer made contact with the couple in the middle of the street in the 500 block of S. Cedar St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Amanda Jo Goodpaster, 30, of Missouri for public intoxication and disorderly conduct (both simple misdemeanors)*. During the booking process, Goodpaster assaulted the officer and a deputy. She was charged with one count of assault of person in certain occupations (serious misdemeanor) and one count of assault of persons in certain occupation causing injury (aggravated misdemeanor)*.

Friday, March 9: At 8:35 am staff at Peony Restaurant reported the theft of a TV and satellite TV box. The officer is investigating.

Thursday, March 8: Routine activity reported.

Wednesday, March 7: At 1:52 am a traffic stop performed at Highway 30 and Doreen Wilbur Drive resulted in the officer arresting Renae Jane Baugh, 36, of Jefferson for OWI- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for insufficient number of headlamps. ****Officers issued 10 snow emergency parking tickets during the last snow event.

Tuesday, March 6: At 7:39 am an officer investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident at the intersection of N. Wilson and Clark St. Jennifer Johnston of Jefferson was southbound on Wilson driving her 2016 Ford Explorer. MeLinda Millard was eastbound on Clark St driving a 2000 Honda Odyssey owned by Arthur Hardman of Jefferson. The vehicles collided in the intersection. Johnston’s vehicle then struck a utility pole. Johnston was cited for failure to yield to the vehicle on the right.  Damage to her vehicle was estimated at $2,000. Damage to Hardman’s vehicle was estimated at $1,500. Damage to the utility pole, which is owned by Alliant Energy, was estimated at $1,500. At 10:29 pm  an officer performed a traffic stop on Leslie Miller of Perry in the 300 block of W. Lincoln Way. Miller was cited for failure to provide proof of security liability. During the stop the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle the officer located a smoking device ad suspected marijuana. Future charges are pending the results of testing of the seized items.

Monday, March 5: At 5:10 pm Miranda Paris reported striking a pole in the parking lot at Dairy Queen. Damage to her 2013 Chevrolet Silverado was estimated at $1,000. The pole was not damaged.

Sunday, March 4: At 12:06 pm a complainant reported a stray dog at a residence in the 600 block of S. Locust St. The officer placed the stray in the animal holding facility. At 5:10 pm a complainant reported the theft of her wallet from her purse while shopping at Hy-Vee. The officer is investigating.

Saturday, March 2: At 1:38 am staff at Wild Rose Casino requested an officer for a female with mental health issues. The officer provided the female a ride to the GCMC emergency room to be evaluated by a medical doctor. At 9:46 pm an officer performed a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 200 block of N. Locust St. The officer’s investigation resulted in the arrest of Allyn James Case, 30, of Jefferson for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor) and child endangerment (aggravated misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for improper registration plate lamp.

Friday, March 2: At 6:27 am staff at Sparky’s One Stop, turned in a counterfeit $100 bill. The business had taken the fake in a transaction last weekend. The officer is investigating. At 3:03 pm an officer investigated a one-vehicle property damage accident in the 200 block of W. Russell St. Richard Klein of Scranton was eastbound driving his 2008 Toyota Rav4. He advised he fell asleep and left the roadway, striking a tree. Damage to his vehicle was estimated at $2,000. The tree was damaged and will need to be removed. Klein was cited for failure to maintain control.

Thursday, March 1: At 12:40 pm officers assisted the Jefferson fire department with a vehicle fire in the 300 block of N. Chestnut St. The 2001 Nissan Altima, owned by Bill Richardson of Jefferson, was a total loss. At 3:24 pm an officer was requested at Greene County High School. A student had sent text messages to other students advising that an active shooter was in the building. An officer is investigating. At 4:47 pm a complainant reported a male inn Hy-Vee with a holstered firearm visible on his hip. The officer located the male and verified his concealed carry permit. The officer advised the male to cover the weapon and keep it concealed. At 6:11 pm a complainant voiced his concerns to officers about an encyclopedia showing how to build a bomb.

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

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