Police blotter – May 2018

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

Thursday, May 31: At 8:05 am an officer picked up an abandoned bicycle in the 400 block of S. Elm St and placed it in the impound lot. At 11:10 am a resident caught a stray cat in the 700 block of S. Elm St. The officer placed the cat in the animal holding facility.

Wednesday, May 30: At 1:41 pm a complainant reported a domestic situation occurring at a residence in the 100 block of E. Central Ave. The officers arrived and made contact with the couple outside. The male was yelling and screaming and attempted to flee from officers. Jody Lyn Schad, 42, of Jefferson was taken to custody and transported to the LEC. He was later charged with disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)* and released. At 4:05 pm staff at the Greene County Medical Center emergency room called and advised a male patient had removed his IV and left the ER on foot. The officers were unable to locate the male and could not force him to go back to the ER if they had located him. At 4:53 pm a complainant reported a careless driver had attempted to run her off the road in the 700 block of N. Cedar St. She advised they were screaming at her brother about being owed money by him. The officers did not locate a vehicle matching the description given. At 6:35 pm an officer arrested Rickie Eugene Tuhn, 57, of Jefferson on an outstanding Greene County warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of harassment- third degree.

At 7:10 pm an officer assisted a deputy with a motorcycle accident in the 1600 block of Highway 30 east of Jefferson. At 7:15 pm a complainant reported 50 motorcycles surrounding her mobile home in the 100 block of E. Central Ave. She advised the motorcycle gang was threatening to kill her and burn her home over an unpaid debt. The complainant was extremely intoxicated. The officer spoke to neighbors and learned one motorcycle had arrived at the mobile home and had left shortly after arriving there. Charges are pending for Jennifer Ashby for false report to officer.* At 10:21 pm a complainant reported his motorcycle had been stolen from the 700 block of N. Cedar St. He provided the officer with a suspect, who was the male involved in the motorcycle accident on Highway 30 earlier that evening. It was the complainant’s motorcycle in the accident. Future charges are pending completion of the accident.

Tuesday, May 29: At 9:56 am officers responded with Jefferson fire department to Casey’s General Store on N. Elm St for reported smoke in the business. No fire was located and it was determined to be a cooler issue. Jefferson Fire removed smoke from the business with fans. At 11:15 am Alliant Energy requested officers and the Jefferson fire department to assist with a gas leak in the 100 block of E. Lincoln Way.Businesses on the south side of the street were evacuated while Alliant Energy searched the buildings for the leak and made repairs. At 3:16 pm a complainant reported having a heated political debate with a Boone male on Facebook. The male advised the complainant he would, “Come at him.” The complainant was advised to end contact with the male and call police if he showed up at his residence. At 6:23 pm an officer investigated a two vehicle property damage accident in the 800 block of E. Lincoln Way. Camryn Paup pulled from the drive at the city softball fields on to Lincoln Way and struck an eastbound 2006 Jeep Cherokee owned and driven by Lerae Herrick of Grand Junction. Paup was cited for unsafe entry onto roadway. Damage to the 2007 Chevrolet Impala she was driving, which is owned by Troy Paup, was estimated at $3,000. Damage to Herrick’s vehicle was estimated at $200.

Monday, May 28: At 3:37 pm a complainant reported her ex-boyfriend had gained access to her email account without her permission. The officer is investigating. At 6:06 pm a complainant reported two stray dogs in her yard in the 100 block of Sunset Place. The animals were returned to the owner in the area.

Sunday, May 27: At 2:04 am a traffic stop at Highway 30 and Grimmell Road resulted in the arrest of Alex Dankel, 24, of Scranton for operating while intoxicated- second offense (aggravated misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for improper plate lamp. At 10:44 am a complainant reported an unauthorized use of credit card at a Lowe’s store in North Carolina in the amount of $384.25. The officer is investigating. At 7:22 pm a complainant reported a stray dog in the 400 block of N. Pinet St. The officer was taking the animal to the animal holding facility when the dog’s owner called. The animal was returned to the owner and a time period given to license the animal with the city.

Saturday, May 26: At 4:03 am a complainant reported having inappropriate photos sent to her cell phone by a male from Perry. The officer is investigating. At 7:23 pm a complainant reported a crow with a broken wing in the 400 block of N. Olive St. At 7:59 pm a traffic stop in the 400 block of N. Cedar St resulted in the arrest of Jackie Cram, 23, of Jefferson for driving while barred (aggravated misdemeanor)*.

Friday, May 25: At 8:55 am a caller advised of a small child outside with no parents around at a residence in the 600 block of S. Locust St. officer made contact with the mother of the child, who was working out of town. She advised her husband was watching the child. The officer made contact with the father, who had been sleeping when the child got out of the home. DHS was contacted by the officer. At 10:32 am a complainant advised of a stray dog running in the 300 block of N. Elm St. The officer made contact with the owner, who caught the animal. The dog was visiting a residence in the area and does not reside in Jefferson. At 11:18 am a complainant reported a stray dog in her yard in the 200 block of N. Olive St. The officer recognized the animal and made contact with the owner. The owner was cited for animal at large prohibited. At 11:48 am an officer was requested at the courthouse to arrest a subject after his court hearing. James Kenneth Harris, 30, of Woodward was arrested on an outstanding Buena Vista County arrest warrant for failure to appear*. At 2:29 pm an officer was requested at White Oak Station as a subject was harassing employees for having his vehicle towed from the private property. The officer arrived and advised the male to leave the property and that it was his own fault his vehicle was towed. At 11 pm an officer witnessed two vehicles racing on S. Grimmell Rd. The officer was able to perform a traffic stop on one of the vehicles involved. Kane Borgeson of Rippey was issued citations for drag racing and careless driving.

Thursday, May 24: As a result of a traffic stop in the 200 block of S. Elm St, Parker Stoneburner, 18, of Ogden was arrested for possession of alcohol under legal age* and cited for improper registration plate lamp. During the traffic stop, the officer could smell an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Additional arrest warrants will be applied for pending the test results of these items.

Wednesday, May 23: At 12:12 pm a complainant reported criminal mischief to the residence in the 500 block of E. Adams St. The officer is investigating. At 12:30 pm Jefferson officers were assisted by a sheriff’s deputy in executing a search warrant at 108 E. Central Ave, Lot 66. The officers recovered stolen items from a burglary at Countywide Electric on 5/17. Charges are pending.

Tuesday, May 22: At 12:38 pm management at Subway reported receiving the Alliant Energy phone scam. The caller requested payment for an overdue utility bill. The business recognized this as a scam and did not incur a loss.

Monday, May 21: At 12:19 am a traffic stop of a speeding vehicle in the 1800 block of N. Elm St resulted in the arrest of Paul Richard Nelson, 44, of Jefferson on a charge of operating while intoxicated- second offense. He was also cited for driving while suspended n failure to provide proof of financial liability and excessive speed. At 3:50 pm a complainant reported the theft of a flower pot from a residence in the 500 block of E. Lincoln Way. The flowers and pot were valued at $75.

Sunday, May 20: Routine activity reported.

Saturday, May 19: Routine activity reported.

Friday, May 18: At 1:50 pm a complainant advised her vehicle had been broken into at Wild Rose Casino overnight and she was missing her purse. The officer is investigating. At 3:47 pm an officer investigated a property damage accident at E. Washington and N. Locust Sts.

Alberta Hamilton of Jefferson was southbound on Locust driving her 2009 Buick Lacrosse. She did not yield the right of way at the intersection and she collided with a 1998 Chevrolet Tracker owned and operated by Dennis Murphy of Grand Junction. Hamilton was cited for failure to yield to the vehicle on the right. Damage to her vehicle was estimated at $2,000. Damage to Murphy’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000. At 4:07 pm a mother reported her son’s cell phone had been stolen while he attended the middle school. The office is investigating the reported event.

Thursday, May 17: At 9:56 am Countywide Electric reported vehicles being burglarized at 401 E. Central Ave. Several tools were removed from the vehicles. The officer is investigating. At 3:40 pm an officer arrested Jesus Moises Zuniga, 19, of Jefferson for outstanding Jefferson PD arrest warrants. Zuniga has been charged with controlled substance violation (Class D felony), obstructing prosecution (aggravated misdemeanor) and trespass- simple.* The charges came at the end of an investigation that showed Zuniga’s involvement in entering the police impound lot and removing items from his vehicle, which had been impounded. The officer had gathered cell phone and Facebook records by search warrant and the items showed conspiracy to deliver controlled substances leading to the controlled substance violation.

Wednesday, May 16: At 1 am a complainant reported a large group of young people fighting in the street near N. Vine and W. Adams Sts. As officers arrived, the group ran from the area. An officer caught a female subject as she was running east through the HyVee parking lot. The officer arrested Jessica Ann Marie Kelton, 19, of Jefferson on a charge of interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor)*. Officers spoke with a female in the area, who had been assaulted. She would not cooperate with criminal charges being filed for the assault. At 12:27 am a complainant reported criminal mischief occurring at History Boy Theatre. Someone had rolled the business’s dumpsters down the alley and into the roadway. At 6:47 am a complainant reported a stray dog following her as she rode her bicycle in the 200 block of S. Chestnut St. The officer was not able to catch the animal. At 7:58 am a resident reported she had caught the stray dog mentioned above and had it at her residence in the 400 block of E. Monroe St. The officer placed the dog in the animal holding facility. At 11:42 pm officers responded to a business alarm activation at Shopko. A subject had thrown a concrete block through the glass entry door on the southeast side of the business. An electric service meter had been tampered with in attempts to shut down the alarm system. Video of a male suspect has been provided to officers. The investigation continues.

Tuesday, May 15: At 1:53 pm an officer investigated a backing accident at St Joseph Parish Center. Cheryl Sloan of Jefferson backed her Chevrolet Impala into a parked 2013 Chevrolet Equinox owned by Jean Feldmann of Jefferson. Damage to Sloan’s vehicle was estimated at $500. Damage to Feldmann’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000. No citation was issued as the accident occurred outside of the roadway on private property.

Monday, May 14: At 1 am a deputy requested assistance from an officer during a traffic stop Highway 30 1-1/2 miles west of Jefferson. At 11:42 am while on patrol an officer spotted a male subject for whom he knew there was an outstanding Greene County arrest warrant for probation violation. The officer arrested Niko Lee Rice, 24, of Paton on the warrant. At 1:45 pm staff at Syngenta Seed advised of a male trespassing on their property. The officer made contact with the subject, who advised he was picking up pop cans in the area. He was advised to stay off  the private property.

Sunday, May 13: Routine activity reported.

Saturday, May 12: At 12:25 am a traffic stop on Highway 30 near N. Elm St led to Travis Christopher Fincel, 43, of Grand Junction being cited for driving while suspended, fail to provide proof of security liability, improper registration plate lamp, and operation without registration. The officer had the vehicle towed from the scene and during an inventory of the vehicle, the officer located suspected narcotic related items. Future charges are pending lab results on the seized items.  At 7:44 am a complainant reported her dog got away from her and was now running free in the 400 block of E. Lincoln Way. The officer assisted her in catching the animal. At 12:23 pm staff at the Super 8 motel reported being a victim of the Alliant Energy phone scam. The business suffered a loss of $998. The caller convinces business owners they have an outstanding power bill and the service will be cut off immediately if payment is not made. At 5:06 pm a resident brought to the LEC a dog he had found running in the county. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.

Friday, May 11: At 10:21 am a complainant reported criminal mischief to a parked vehicle in the 500 block of N. Cedar St. An unknown subject broke out the window on his 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The damage estimate is $300. At 2:40 pm officers were requested at Greene County Middle School. The officers learned that two students had been acting out all morning. They were eventually taken to the office and continued to misbehave. The students began throwing ice at staff members. Both students were picked up by parents. Both will be charged with disorderly conduct and assault- simple in juvenile court. At 2:59 pm a complainant reported his juvenile daughter was being harassed on a phone app. called “Afterschool.” The officer is investigating. At 10:26 pm an officer stopped a vehicle with a headlight out in the 300 block of W. Clark St. The driver, Joseph Aaron Pritchard, 26, of Fort Dodge was arrested for driving while barred (aggravated misdemeanor)* and cited for insufficient number of headlamps.

Thursday, May 10: At 10:03 pm a complainant spoke with an officer about a possible theft occurring in Jefferson. The officer is investigating.

Wednesday, May 9: At 3:06 pm a juvenile female came to the LEC to report an assault that reportedly occurred at the middle school. The officer is investigating. At 6:53 pm a complainant reported someone burning garbage in the 700 block of S. Elm St. The officer made contact with a resident in the area and advised they can only burn yard waste. The fire was burned out.

Tuesday, May 8: At 12:21 pm an officer responded to a backing accident in the Subway parking lot. Riley Niels of Rippey was backing out of a parking spot in her 2010 Jeep Liberty and struck the rear end of a parked 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix owned by Lori Finley. The Jeep sustained $1,000 in damages to the rear passenger side corner and the Pontiac sustained $1,500 to the rear bumper and trunk of the car. At 3:59 pm an officer responded to a residence in the 300 block of N. Pinet St for a reported dog bite. The complainant reported she was bitten by a neighbor’s dog while she was mowing her yard. The dog was taken to Iowa State University for testing. At 6:22 pm an officer located a loose dog in the 700 block of W. Lincoln Way.

Monday, May 7: At 5:43 am an officer investigated a backing accident in the 600 block of S. Vine St. Dennis Smalley of Jefferson struck a legally parked vehicle owned by Christina Vankeuren of Arkansas as he backed from a private drive. Smalley was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. Damage to his 2014 Chevrolet Silverado was estimated at $250. Damage to Vankeuren’s 2015 Ford Focus was estimated at $3,500. At 7:05 pm an officer investigated a hit and run backing accident in the parking lot at Wild Rose Casino. A 2016 Buick Enclave owned by Joyce Davis of Jamaica received an estimated $100 in damage to its rear end while it was parked. The officer is working to determine the owner of the other vehicle involved. ***** Test results are back on items seized during a traffic stop on 4/23 at Highways 4 and 30. An arrest warrant has been requested for Priest Delray Wilson, 38, of Fort Dodge for possession of marijuana- third or subsequent offense (Class D felony)*.

Sunday, May 6: At 10:16 am an officer located an oil spill at the intersection of Highways 4 and 30. The Jefferson fire department arrived and cleaned up the substance. At 1:10 pm staff at Spare Time Lanes reported an attempted burglary. Someone attempted to gain entry through a back door, but did not gain entry.

Saturday, May 5: At 3:32 am an officer was called to an apartment in the 1300 block Westwood Dr for a female reportedly reported kicking in the apartment door. The officer arrived and made contact with the female. She advised she was driving past her ex-boyfriend’s residence and noticed a female’s car parked there. She wanted to get her child from the residence, but he would not open the door and give her the child. The officer’s investigation led the arrest of Michelle Nicole Howard, 23, of Boxholm for burglary- second degree (Class C felony), operating while intoxicated (serious misdemeanor) and possession of a controlled substance (serious misdemeanor)*. At 12 pm a caller advised of hearing gun shots near Daubendiek Park at Grimmell Rd an Russell St. The officer located subjects shooting at targets, just outside of the city limits on S. Grimmell Road. At 8:59 pm a caller advised of a subject sitting on the side of Highway 30 just west of M Ave. The officer checked on the female, who was fine and said she was walking to Idaho. At 11:09 pm a traffic stop on S. Elm St near 250th St resulted in the arrest of Michael Edward Dennhardt, 49, of Rippey for OWI- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*.

Friday, May 4: At 1:40 pm staff at the middle school reported a dog running loose near the school. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility. At 2:03 pm an officer and deputies arrested Robert Fry, 54, of Jefferson on an active arrest warrant for probation violation.

Thursday, May 3: At 10:58 am staff at city hall reported a subject had turned the water back on and a theft of services had taken place at a residence in the 700 block of Pinet Place. The officer’s investigation led to a request for an arrest warrant for Michael Ivan Venteicher, 60, of Jefferson for theft- fifth degree. At 8:27 pm staff at Greene County Medical Center reported the possible theft of a wheelchair. The officer is investigating.

Wednesday, May 2: At 7:56 pm a resident requested a welfare check on a male in the 200 block of S. High St. The officer learned the male had left on his motorcycle and was possibly suicidal. The officer entered an attempt to locate in the NCIC system for the male and his motorcycle.

Tuesday, May 1: At 7:37 am an officer located a stop sign that was down at W. Lincoln Way and Oak St. The street dept. was notified. Between 9:32 and 10:43 pm an officer checked three alarm activations and determined all were due to a power outage. At 10:46 pm staff at Hy-Vee reported a male subject who had been trespassed for a recent theft of alcohol was in the store. The officer spoke to the male and advised him he would be charged with trespassing if he returned to the business.

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

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