Police blotter – August 2018

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

Friday, Aug. 31: At 6:01 am a complainant reported the overnight theft of a motorcycle from the parking lot at 102 S. Grimmell Rd. The 1977 Yamaha was last seen in the parking lot on the prior evening. The motorcycle was entered in NCIC and the officer is investigating.

At 1:43 pm an officer responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at E. Lincoln Way and Cedar St. Wilma Herrick of Grand Junction was southbound on Cedar St driving her 2005 Dodge Caravan. Tierney Gohn of Grand Junction was eastbound on Lincoln Way driving her 2012 Chevrolet Impala. Herrick failed to stop as posted and her vehicle was struck by Gohn’s vehicle. Herrick was cited for failure to obey stop sign. Damage to both vehicles was estimated at $1,000. At 2 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 700 block of N. Cedar St. Tom Schilling of Jefferson was driving a 2016 Ford F250 pickup truck owned by the city of Jefferson when he backed into a 2008 Ford Focus owned and operating by Kent Peninger of Jefferson. Damage to Peninger’s vehicle was estimated at $200. Damage to the city-owned truck was estimated at $100. At 4:01 pm officers investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident on Highway 30 at Mulberry St. Linda Olerich of Jefferson was westbound driving her 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. She had stopped and activated her left turn signal. Mina Cummings of Jefferson was following Olerich driving a 1999 Ford Escort owned by Chad Cummings. Cummings failed to stop and struck the rear of Olerich’s vehicle. She was cited for failure to stop in assured clear distance ahead. Damage to her car was estimated at $5,000. Damage to Olerich’s vehicle exceeded value.

Thursday, Aug. 30: At 2:02 am staff at Sparky’s reported a gas drive-off. A driver left without paying for $63.27 in fuel. The officer is investigating. At 9:31 am a complainant reported a female sitting under some trees near the roadway in the 1400 block of West Lincoln Way. Officers arrived to check on the female. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Laurie May Larsen, 38, of Ogden for public intoxication (simple misdemeanor)*. At 9:12 pm an officer began a sex abuse investigation after receiving a report from a Jefferson adult female at the LEC.

Wednesday, Aug. 29: At 4:47 am a complainant reported a deceased deer in the roadway on Highway 30 near Pioneer Ave east of Jefferson. The officer removed the carcass from the roadway. At 11:35 am an officer stood by while a city employee mowed a yard that was in violation of city mowing ordinances in the 600 block of W. Lincoln Way. The property had been posted by the city. The yard was mowed without issues from the property owner. At 11:44 am officers were assisted by Greene County deputies in the execution of two search warrants. One warrant was executed at Greene County High School for a student’s person and his locker. Items were seized from the student to be tested for possible narcotics. The second search warrant was executed at the same time at a residence in the 300 block of N. Pinet St. Items were seized from the residence, including narcotics and counterfeit money. Charges are pending the completion of the investigation. During the execution on Pinet St, officers arrested Kyle Dean Rysavy, 19, of Jefferson for disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)*. At 6:06 pm an officer was advised the middle school was unlocked and no one was present. The officer checked the building and secured the facility. At 7:01 pm a resident brought to the LEC a stray dog he had found on S. Chestnut St. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.

Tuesday, Aug. 28: At 4:01 am an officer assisted the Greene County sheriff’s office by providing traffic control at an auto accident two miles west of Jefferson on Highway 30. At 4:29 am an officer assisted the Jefferson fire department at a structure fire at Power Lift. The state fire marshal is investigating the factory fire, which caused an estimated $1 million in damages to the facility. The fire is not believed to be suspicious. At 7:43 am the business owner reported employees at Twinn Shoppe were receiving strange phone calls while at work. He requested extra patrol in the area and business close. At 11:50 am a resident brought to the LEC a stray dog she had caught at Daubendiek Park. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility. At 4:40 pm officers arrested Adam Michael Winger, 38, of Jefferson on an outstanding arrest warrant for parole violation*.

Monday, Aug. 27: At 4:55 am staff at Regency Park advised of a subject peering into windows there. The officer is investigating. At 11:38 am a complainant reported criminal mischief to his 2001 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck in the high school parking lot. The vehicle had been keyed, causing damage at $1,553.64. School staff is checking parking lot video for the reported event. The investigation continues. At 1:13 pm city workers turned over garbage that had been dumped at the city tree waste site. The garbage contained names and the officer is working to contact those subjects. At 1:16 pm officers were advised of a semi tractor-trailer with a wide load attempting to get through the road construction on Elm St. Officers assisted the driver with an alternate route. At 2:52 pm an officer assisted staff at Tri County Lumber with a reported harassment issue with a former employee. At 5:36 pm a resident reported an abandoned bicycle at a residence in the 800 block of W. Monroe St. The officer placed the bike in impound.

Sunday, Aug. 26: At 12:03 am as a result of a traffic stop at the intersection of S. Elm and W. Vest Sts, Curtis Bergemann, 54, of Jefferson was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated*. He was also cited for failure to display registration plate and failure to carry registration card. At 4:02 pm officers responded to the 100 block of E. Lincoln Way for a traffic accident. Garry Devilbiss was traveling eastbound in his 1999 Chevy Tahoe when he struck a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis that was parked legally on the south side of the street. The Tahoe sustained $1,000 in damages and the Grand Marquis sustained $3,000 in damages. Devilbiss was cited for failure to maintain control.

Saturday, Aug. 25: At 5:17 pm an officer responded to the 400 block of E. Harrison St for a backing accident. Terence Bingley of Jefferson was backing out of his driveway in his 2007 Chevy Silverado and struck a parked 2006 Ford Taurus in the roadway, causing $500 in damage to his vehicle and $3,000 in damage to the Taurus. Bingley was cited for unsafe backing upon highway.

Friday, Aug. 24: At 1:30 pm officers assisted a state probation officer with a visit of a client in the 200 block of S. Cedar St. At 5:15 pm an officer responded to the same residence for a report of drug paraphernalia located in the residence. At 7:44 pm an officer responded to the parking lot at Wild Rose Casino and issued a citation for parking in a space reserved for persons with a disability. At 11:11 pm a complainant reported an enclosed trailer was stolen from the 700 block of N. Wilson. An officer is investigating.

Thursday, Aug. 23: At 9:14 am a complainant reported a possible domestic abuse assault, which had occurred on 8/17 at a residence in the 500 block of W. Harrison St. The officer is investigating. At 6:04 pm a complainant reported finding a broken window at her residence in the 200 block of N. Locust St. A ball bat was located in the bushes and taken into evidence for fingerprinting. The estimate to repair the window is $500. No entry was made into the residence. The officer is investigating. At 6:53 pm a resident requested an officer go to the casino and catch her husband cheating on her. The officer advised her that law enforcement does not participate in this type of activity. At 9:15 pm an officer checked the area of the 400 block of W. Lincoln Way after receiving a 911 hang-up call in the area. He found no one needing assistance in the area.

Wednesday, Aug. 22: At 6:04 am a resident captured a stray dog at Hy-Vee. The officer placed the dog in the animal holding facility. At 8:13 am a complainant spoke with an officer about a Jefferson resident breeding and selling dogs without a breeder’s license. Officers conducted a welfare check on the reported animals and found them to be fine. At 8:19 am staff at Fareway reported a shoplifting event. The officer has been provided video of the event and is investigating.

Tuesday, Aug. 21: At 6:48 am a caller advised of barking dogs in the 500 block of W. Adams St. The officer located the animals and spoke with the owner about solutions to the issue. At 1:07 pm a complainant reported an abandoned bicycle in the 600 block of E. Lincoln Way. The officer placed the bike in Impound. At 2:58 pm a traffic stop in the 200 block of W. State St. resulted in the arrest of Benito Ortiz of Grand Junction for driving while license barred (aggravated misdemeanor)*.

Monday, Aug. 20: At 11:52 am a complainant reported the theft of 10 vehicle batteries from the 900 block of E. Lincoln Way and the theft of electricity in the 600 block of N. Olive St. The same suspect is involved in both cases. The officer is investigating. At 2:37 pm staff at Hy-Vee provided video to an officer in connection with a theft of alcohol there. At 6:16 pm an officer investigated a backing accident at Casey’s General Store. Denny Dyer of Texas was backing his 2009 Chevy Silverado pickup truck in the lot and struck a parked 2010 Toyota Prius owned by David Rasmussen of Jefferson. Dyer’s truck was not damaged; damage to the Prius was estimated at $750. The accident occurred on private property, so no citation was issued. At 6:30 pm a complainant reported the theft of a homemade trailer from a business in the 200 block of W. McKinley St. The officer is investigating and has entered the trailer as stolen in NCIC.

Sunday, Aug. 19: At 12:40 am a caller advised of two young children left unattended in a vehicle parked at Wild Rose Casino. The officer made contact with the two children, ages 6 and 8, in a vehicle. They advised their parents and a friend were inside the casino gambling and they estimated they had been in the vehicle alone for 30 minutes. The officer made contact with the parents and the friend. They were advised the Department of Human Services would be contacted about the event and possible criminal charges may be sought for child endangerment. The investigation continues at this time. At 11:34 am a complainant reported his neighbor threw a live snake over his fence into his yard in the 400 block of N. Pinet St while mowing. The officer spoke to the neighbor, who denied the accusation. Between 1:43 and 2:48 pm officers responded to three domestic situations. None led to criminal charges. At 5:52 pm a complainant reported grass clippings blown into the alley in the 400 block of N. Vine St. At 9:22 pm an officer removed a bat from a residence in the 400 block of W. State St.

Saturday, Aug. 18: At 8:45 am a resident advised she was contacted by a Social Security scammer on her cell phone and had given them her SS number before realizing it was a scam call. The officer advised her to contact the Social Security Administration and follow its directions for a compromised Social Security number. At 12:50 pm an officer investigated a dog bite in the 800 block of W. South St. The officer learned the child had reached over a fence on private property to pet the animal, who snipped at the youngster. The animal is current on vaccinations and the animal had not committed an offense against city animal ordinances.

Friday, Aug. 17: At 1:15 pm a caller advised of a stray dog near the Wilson railroad crossing. The officer made contact with the animal’s owner, who was out of town, and was given permission to place the animal inside the residence. At 2:23 pm staff at A & W Family Restaurant advised of an intoxicated patron there. The officer arrived and made contact with a female in the parking lot. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Kimberly Joy Allen, 60, of Jefferson for public intoxication (simple misdemeanor)*. At 7:51 pm a mother requested an officer at Washington Park to speak to her juvenile son, who had run away from home. The mother requested the officer to take her son to the LEC in a marked patrol vehicle to “scare him.” The officer refused the request and offered to speak to her son at the park. The mother refused and advised she would speak to the officer’s supervisor about the issue. It is not the policy of the Jefferson police department to scare children into fearing law enforcement officers. The department wants youngsters to be able and willing to speak to officers if they feel they need help.

Thursday, Aug. 16: At 5:22 pm as a result of a traffic stop in the 1800 block of N. Elm St, James Shutts, 51, of Belle Plaine was arrested for operating while under the influence- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for speed and failure to provide proof of financial liability coverage.

Wednesday, Aug. 15: At 9:20 pm an officer assisted the Fort Dodge police department with a prank 911 text they had received that possibly originated in Jefferson.

Tuesday, Aug. 14: Routine activity reported.

Monday, Aug. 13: At 12:30 am an officer responded to a hit and run accident at the Greene County Medical Center parking lot. Carolyn Reineke advised her 2010 Ford Fusion was struck while legally parked in the hospital parking lot. An officer is investigating.
At 5:24 pm while on routine patrol, an officer located a male illegally operating an unregistered dirt bike on the roadway in the 400 block of E. McKinley St. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle for the violation, but the driver of the dirt bike took off at a high rate of speed, attempting to elude the officer. A second JPD officer also attempted to stop the vehicle. A short pursuit began on the east side of Jefferson, ranging from E. McKinley St, through the city skate park, on the Raccoon Valley Bike Trail down to E. Garfield St. The pursuit continued until the bike reached S. Mulberry St, where it began traveling southbound. The drive chain on the dirt bike broke in the 600 block of S. Mulberry St, causing the vehicle to stop. The driver of the vehicle was a 17-year-old male. The male dismounted the dirt bike and he was arrested without incident. The male was charged with eluding (serious misdemeanor) and interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for reckless driving, operating a non-registered vehicle, and no valid driver’s license.

Sunday, Aug. 12: *****  On 8/08 a complainant spoke with an officer about a burglary that occurred at his residence in the 500 block of S. Wilson. The complainant reported the entry door to the residence was broken in and two handguns were stolen from his residence, along with an ankle holster and belt-worn holster. A white security safe was taken from the residence as well. The believed the burglary occurred around at about 2:30 pm that day. The complainant believed the suspect was Haley Lynn Brown of Jefferson. He advised he received a text message from her asking if he was at home; he was at his place of employment at the time. He had also received information from a friend that Brown’s GPS location on an Apple application called “Find a Friend” showed Brown at his residence at the time of the burglary. After the complainant arrived home, he spoke with Brown and another male in the parking lot of the Wild Rose Casino at roughly 4:30 pm. The complainant requested consent to search Brown’s vehicle, which she allowed. During the search, the complainant located his ankle holster, but Brown began to assault him and she left the scene. Later that evening, as a result of a traffic stop at 9:34 pm, Brown was arrested out of this same vehicle by a Jefferson PD officer for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. She was transported to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center. Her vehicle was transported to the impound lot where an officer began to inventory the vehicle. During the inventory, a metal smoking device containing residue was located in the vehicle. A search warrant was obtained the following day to search the vehicle. During the search, the aforementioned ankle holster was located in the vehicle, along with the smoking device and prescription medication not in Brown’s name. During execution of the search warrant on the vehicle, Brown showed up at the impound lot after she was released from jail and became disorderly with the officers on scene. She was subsequently arrested and taken back to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center and charged with disorderly conduct. Officers completed search warrants for cell phone and cell phone application records to help further their investigation along with completing interviews and a search of her hotel room, where more of the stolen items were located. Later that evening, officers found and recovered the stolen firearms from an outbuilding located in the 1000 block of W. Wall St where they were hidden. As a result, several arrest warrants were issued for Hayley Lynn Brown, 25, of Jefferson for the following: criminal mischief-fourth degree (serious misdemeanor), burglary- third degree, felon in possession of a firearm and theft- second degree (all Class D felonies), unlawful possession of prescription drug and possession of marijuana (both serious misdemeanors), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. Brown was on parole at the time these events took place. She is also being held on a parole violation. She is being held in the Boone County jail.

Saturday, Aug. 11: Routine activity reported.

Friday, Aug. 10: At 8:55 am Don Orris reported damage to the Doreen Wilber statue at the intersection of Vine St and W. Lincoln Way. An officer began reviewing surveillance video and found three Caucasian men approximately 40 years of age taking turns hanging off the statue and taking pictures while on it. This occurred during the early morning hours of July 24, during the RAGBRAI overnight stay in Jefferson. An officer is investigating the incident. At 10:58 am officers arrested Jody Lyn Schad, 43, of Jefferson and Jennifer Marie Ashby, 45, of Jefferson on outstanding Greene County arrest warrants. Schad is charged with theft- second degree, two counts (Class D felony), theft- first degree (Class C felony), possession of marijuana- second offense (serious misdemeanor), burglary- third degree, four counts (aggravated misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. Ashby is charged with possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor) and possession of drug paraphernalia*. At 12:12 pm an officer responded to a two-vehicle accident in the 1100 block of N. Elm St. Janet Padgett of Harcourt was driving her 2007 Mercury Mariner southbound in the inside lane and attempted to change lanes. She struck a 2014 Ford F-150 pickup truck being driven by Jane Finch of Jefferson in the outside lane. Padgett was cited for unsafe passing and failure to provide proof of security against liability- accident related. Damage to her Mariner was estimated at $500. Damage to Finch’s truck was estimated at $2,000. At 10:07 pm an officer responded to a one-vehicle accident in the Wild Rose Casino parking lot. Sheilia Toms of Lytton attempted to driver her 2005 GMC Yukon around a light pole but the front driver’s side bumper struck the pole. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,000. Damage to the light pole was estimated at $100. No citation was issued as the accident occurred on private property.

Thursday, Aug. 9: At 8:46 am a resident in the 100 block of W. Vest St advised of a large stuffed dinosaur left in her yard overnight. The officer removed the item from her property. At 7:20 pm an officer assisted the sheriff’s office with traffic control at County Road E-53 and County Road P-14 at the scene of a fatal accident. At 7:55 pm officers arrested Jeremy Joe Orfield, 25, of Jefferson on charges of sex abuse- second degree (Class B felony) and lascivious acts with a child/solicitation (Class D felony)*. The charges are the result of an investigation initiated 7/28 of a reported sex assault of a 9-year-old Jefferson girl. Orfield remains held at the Greene County jail.

Wednesday, Aug. 8: At 10:23 am a complainant reported numerous tools stolen from a storage shed at a residence in the 400 block of N. Chestnut St. The officer is investigating. At 11:10 am officers were requested in the 300 block of S. Wilson for an intoxicated female. Officers called the mobile crisis team to assist the female. At 1:29 pm a female was bitten by a dog while walking in the area of W. Washington and N. Oak Sts. The officer made contact with the animal and the owner. The animal was deemed “Illegal” by the officer and made to leave the city limits, per ordinance. At 10:34 pm an off-duty officer reported male juveniles yelling at him and revving their motor as they passed him while walking near Elm St and W. Lincoln Way. The officer is attempting to make contact with the juveniles and speak to them about the event. At 11:48 pm a resident located a stray dog in the 400 block of W. Head St. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.

Tuesday, Aug. 7: At 12:49 while officers were executing a search warrant on a vehicle in the impound lot the vehicle’s owner arrived. The female began to scream profanities at the officers as they worked. Haley Lynn Brown, 25, of Jefferson was arrested for disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)*. *****The reported stolen handguns noted in the Aug. 6 activity report have been recovered at a Jefferson residence. Charges in the matter will be released after the investigation into the burglary is completed.

Monday, Aug. 6: At 10:20 am a complainant reported a downed wire near S. Wilson and Russell St. A tree branch had fallen and brought the cable wire down. Jefferson Telecom was contacted. At 5:07 pm a complainant reported a burglary at a residence in the 500 block of S. Wilson. Subjects broke into the residence and removed two handguns and a locked safe. Two suspects have been developed and the investigation continues. At 9:34 pm a traffic stop in the 1400 block of N. Elm St resulted in the arrest of Hayley Lynn Brown, 25, of Jefferson for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for stopping on the paved portion of the highway, failure to provide proof of financial liability coverage, and failure to obey a stop sign.

Sunday, Aug. 5: Routine activity reported.

Saturday, Aug. 4: At 9:47 am a postal worker advised of a kitten trapped in a window well at the post office. The officer was able to free the kitten.

Friday, Aug. 3: At 4:01 am a complainant reported a stray dog on her porch in the 500 block of W. Harrison St. The officer made contact with the dog’s owner who was out looking for it. The owner picked up the dog. At 7:27 am an officer investigated an accident at Maple St and W. Lincoln Way. Paige McCarty of Perry left the posted stop sign on Maple St and struck the side of a vehicle driven by Whitney Campbell of Scranton. (Direction of travel was not provided). McCarty was cited for failure to obey a stop sign. Damage to her 2005 Chevrolet Impala was estimated at $1,000. Damage to the vehicle Campbell was driving, a 1998 Ford Explorer owned by Shelly Gilbertson of Scranton, was estimated at $3,000. At 7:47 am a caller advised of a dog lying in the grass in the 500 block of W. Clark St. The officer contacted the animal’s owner and gave her a time period to become compliant with animal licensing. At 9:14 am a complainant advised a neighbor was allowing his dog to defecate in her yard in the 800 block of W. State St and refused to clean up after his animal. The officer is working to contact the neighbor and speak to him about the matter. At 4:30 pm a resident advised he was missing his small terrier from the 400 block of N. Wilson. At 6:08 pm staff at Sparky’s One Stop reported a gas drive off for $22.58. The officer is investigating. At 8:10 pm a caller advised of a female who had fallen in Kelso Park. The officer arrived and made contact with the female. Kathleen Specht, 59, of Jefferson was arrested for public intoxication- third or subsequent offense (aggravated misdemeanor)*.

Thursday, Aug. 2: At 8:30 am a complainant reported a burglary to her vehicle in the 700 block of W. Adams St. An officer is investigating. At 11:59 pm an officer responded to a residence in the 600 block of W. Lincoln Way for a report of a domestic assault. As a result of the investigation an arrest warrant has been requested for Dale Ganoe, 40, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault- second offense (aggravated misdemeanor)*.

Wednesday, Aug. 1: At 9:27 am a complainant advised of a missing juvenile. Officers located the juvenile a short time later and returned him home. At 5:58 pm a caller advised of a possible fight occurring between kids in Washington Park. The officer made contact with the juveniles, who advised they were play fighting. At 6:44 pm a complainant advised of kids throwing things at cars as they passed in the 100 block of N. Cedar St. The officer made contact with a parent and four children. The children were throwing “Whipper Snappers” near the curb, but not into the roadway.

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

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