Police blotter – December 2018


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

Monday, Dec. 31: At 5:51 pm officers assisted the medical examiner with a death investigation in the 1200 block of Westwood Drive. At 7:12 pm staff at Sparky’s One Stop turned over possible drug paraphernalia located in the restroom there.

Sunday, Dec. 30: At 4:02 am an officer performed a traffic stop with a vehicle at W. South and S. Maple Sts. The vehicle had an expired tag on the plate. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of August Kristopher Halverson, 20, of Jefferson for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor) and possession of alcohol under legal age (simple misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for the registration violation. At 10:48 pm security staff at Wild Rose Casino requested an officer for an intoxicated subject who was refusing to leave when he was asked. The officer arrested Ramirez Carlos Vega, 54, of Denison for public intoxication (simple misdemeanor)*.

Saturday, Dec. 29: Routine activity reported.

Friday, Dec. 28: At 2:17 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 500 block of N. Grimmell Rd. Carter Morton of Jefferson was backing a 2009 Kia Optima owned by Chad Morton from a private drive, but backed into a passing 2002 Jeep Liberty owned and operated by Makayla Randol of Guthrie Center. Morton was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. Damage to each vehicle was estimated at $3,000. At 9:26 pm Alex Bayliss reported he had struck a curb in the 700 block of W. Russell St with his vehicle and broken an axle. The officer arrived and noticed tire tracks consistent with “drifting corners” in the snow on the roadway. Bayliss made admissions to doing so and was cited for careless driving by the officer. At 11:53 pm an officer was called to Casey’s General Store for a backing accident. Jordan Teeples of Jefferson was driving a 2012 Dodge Charger owned by Sherri Teeples when she stopped in the parking lot to talk with someone. Sue Gunn of Grand Junction backed her 2016 Chevrolet Malibu from a parking space and struck Teeples’ vehicle. Damage to Teeples’ vehicle was estimated at $1,000. Damage to Gunn’s vehicle was estimated at $500. No citation issued as it occurred outside the roadway on private property.

Thursday, Dec. 27: At 10:11 am an officer investigated a hit and run accident in the parking lot at Home State Bank. Bank employees witnessed a driver sideswipe a 2018 Chevrolet K1500 pickup truck owned by Loran Wiederin of Jefferson. The driver left the area. Bank employees provided the officer with a license plate number and vehicle description. The officer later spoke to the owner/driver of the vehicle, Karol Peterson of Jefferson. Damage to her 2003 Cadillac Deville and to Widerin’s vehicle was estimated at $2,000 each. No citation was issued as it occurred on private property. At 10:20 am an officer investigated a backing accident in the parking lot at Hy-Vee. Audrey Arnold of Jefferson backed her 2007 Toyota Camry at the same time Danene Janssen backed her 2013 Dodge Caravan. The vehicles collided. Damage to Arnold’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000. Damage to Janssen’s vehicle was estimated at $1,500. No citations were issued due to occurrence on private property.

Wednesday, Dec. 26: At 9:14 am a complainant reported the theft of an electric meter from a residence in the 800 block of W. Monroe St. At 11:49 am a complainant reported receiving inappropriate picture messages on her cell phone from a male in Marshall County. The officer is investigating. At 5:58 pm a complainant reported a stray dog in the 300 block of N. Pinet St. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility. At 10:13 pm an officer was requested at a residence in the 700 block of N. Cedar St for an intoxicated male. It was reported he was becoming violent. The officer arrived and spoke to the male outside the residence. A short struggle ensued as the officer placed the male into custody. While in transport to the jail, the male repeatedly struck his head on the vehicle’s back cage, causing a small cut to his forehead. At the jail the subject continued to be physical and defiant as the officer and a deputy placed him in the jail. The subject injured his head again by banging it on the jail door. EMS was called to the jail to treat the male for his injuries. Michael Allen Olson, 57, of Jefferson was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanors), and assault on officers and interference with official acts (serious misdemeanors)*.

Tuesday, Dec. 25: At 3:01 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the parking lot at Oly’s Corner. Dalton Weber of Jefferson attempted to back his 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse from the carwash entrance. Weber advised he did not see a vehicle behind him in line and backed into the front a 2015 Chrysler 33 owned and operated by Kirsten Carman of Jefferson. Damage to each vehicle was estimated at $500. No citation was issued as it occurred on private property.

Monday, Dec. 24: At 2:48 pm staff at Oly’s Corner reported an assault occurring outside the business. The officer’s investigation has led to the request for an arrest warrant for Rickie Eugene Tuhn, 57, of Grand Junction for assault – simple and disorderly conduct – simple*.

Sunday, Dec. 23: At 6:22 am a deputy requested a Jefferson officer to advise local gas stations of a vehicle of which the driver had attempted to pass counterfeit money at two stations in the county. *****Numerous citations were issued by an officer after completing an investigation into two hit-and-run accidents in the 300 block of N.Chestnut St on Dec. 21. Sonya Lynn Thompson of Boone has been cited for driving while suspended, violation of financial liability- accident related, failure to maintain control and failure to obey stop sign.

Saturday, Dec. 22: At 5:16 am a complainant reported she had been assaulted by a known male at a residence in Jefferson. She had injuries consistent with her report. An investigation in under way. At 5:20 pm Lois Wistenberg reported backing her Toyota Rav 4 into a row of mailboxes in the 800 block of W. South St. The vehicle incurred light damage. Two mailboxes were also damaged. The officer is attempting to make contact with owners of the mailboxes. A citation is possible after completion of the investigation.

Friday, Dec. 21: At 7:29 am an officer investigated a deer vs. semi accident near the Raccoon River bridge south of Jefferson on Hwy. 4. Don Eggen of Adair, struck the animal with his 2008 Freightliner M2, causing damage to his semi estimated at $1,000. At 7:17 pm staff at Casey’s General Store advised a male, who was trespassed from the business, was present inside the store. The officers are attempting to locate the male and advise him to stay off the property in the future, or face criminal charges.

Thursday, Dec. 20: At 1:14 am an officer began investigating a burglary at a residence in the 500 block of N. Wilson Ave. Several electronic devices were removed from the residence. The were signs of forced entry. The investigation continues. At 11:21 pm staff at Doc’s Stadium requested officers for a fight in progress. An officer responded with a Greene County sheriff’s deputy. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Jarad Ryan Wolfe, 40, of Bagley for public intoxication- second offense (serious misdemeanor) and disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)*. Also arrested was Seth Michael Butler, 30, of Jefferson for public intoxication (simple misdemeanor) and disorderly conduct*.

Wednesday, Dec. 19: Routine activity reported.

Tuesday, Dec. 18: At 2:43 am a caller advised of a barking dog in the 300 block of S. Walnut St. The officer made contact with a subject who resides at a residence in the area and the issue was resolved for the evening. At 8:07 am a complainant reported unauthorized charges on a bank account. The officer is investigating. At 2:42 pm an officer attempted to remove a raccoon from a window well in the 200 block Briarwood Bend, but was unsuccessful. A ladder was left in the window well in hopes the animal would climb out on its own. At 5:01 pm a complainant reported being assaulted at a residence in the 300 block of N. Olive St the previous day. The officer is investigating. At 10:39 pm a complainant reported an unusual smell coming from the area of HyVee. The officer learned a local business was roasting coffee beans, causing the odor.

Monday, Dec. 17: Routine activity reported.

Sunday, Dec. 16: At 4:45 am an officer located a vehicle in the parking lot at Dairy Queen. The driver of the vehicle noticed the officer and traveled to Casey’s General Store. The officer stopped and spoke to the driver of the vehicle and learned he was lost. In speaking with the subject, the officer was given “consent to search” the vehicle. During the search, the officer located a baggy of suspected marijuana. The item was seized and will be tested by the lab. Charges are pending test results. At 9:12 am an officer performed a traffic stop in the 500 block of S. Elm St after locking the vehicle on radar at 46 mph in a 35-mph zone. During the stop, the officer spotted suspected narcotics in the vehicle. During a “probable cause search” of the vehicle, the officer located paraphernalia and suspected narcotics. The items were seized for lab testing. Charges are pending the lab results. At 12:57 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 500 block of N. Vine St. Melinda Madison-Millard of Jefferson was backing a 2000 Honda Odyssey owned by Arthur Hardman when she struck a parked 2001 Pontiac Sunfire owned by Thomas Rose of Boone. Madison-Millard was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. Damage to Rose’s vehicle was estimated at $6,000. Damage to Hardman’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000. At 4:18 pm an officer arrested Tyler James Smits, 26, of Jefferson on an outstanding JPD arrest warrant for domestic abuse assault- serious*. The charge stems from a reported domestic situation on 11/26.

Saturday, Dec. 15: At2:30 am while on patrol an officer located two vehicles parked next to each other in the parking lot at the Greene County Community Center. The officer spoke to both drivers. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Joseph Michael Towers, 19, of Churdan for possession of alcohol under age (simple misdemeanor)*. Thomas Noah Gannon, 19, of Rippey was also arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated (serious misdemeanor)* and possession of alcohol underage*. At 5:54 am a caller advised of a vehicle with its hazard lights activated while parked on the roadway at Highway 30 and Oakland Ave east of Jefferson. The officer arrived and found the vehicle was unoccupied and appeared to have struck a deer. Since the vehicle was in the roadway, the officer called a towing company to remove the road hazard. At 8:25 am a complainant requested officers at a residence in the 600 block of S. Olive St and advised she had been assaulted there. The officer arrived and was assisted by a deputy. The accused female was also still present in the residence. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Kelsy Diane Jean Reed, 23, of Jefferson for harassment- first degree (aggravated misdemeanor), assault causing bodily injury (serious misdemeanor), burglary- first degree (B felony), criminal mischief- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor), interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor), disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor) and assault on a peace officer (serious misdemeanor)*. At 3:27 pm staff at White Oak Station advised of a gas drive-off in the amount of $20. The officer is investigating.

Friday, Dec. 14: At 8:03 am an officer investigated a backing accident in the 200 block of S. Vine St. Abby Hoyt of Scranton was southbound driving her 2008 Buick Enclave when Cheryl McGinnis of Jefferson backed her 2010 Ford Focus from a diagonal parking space and struck Hoyt as she passed. McGinnis was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. Damage to each vehicle was estimated at $2,000. At 10:38 am a complainant reported items of jewelry and a book of checks were missing from her residence in the 300 block of N. Chestnut St. Several checks had been written to local business from the stolen checkbook. The officer has obtained video of one of the events and had a suspect in the matter. The investigation continues. At 11:25 am a complainant reported being harassed by cell phone by a female involved in a civil custody matter with her husband. The female was advised to pursue the matter in court. The officer also requested an arrest warrant for Whitney Jean Campbell Perez, 20, of Jefferson for harassment- second degree (serious misdemeanor)*. At 7:13 pm EMS was paged to the area of the bell tower for a 14-year-old male. The male advised he was under the influence of an unknown drug and having a possible heart attack. A Greene County deputy responded to the call as the officer was busy on another call. EMS transported the juvenile to the Greene County Medical Center emergency room for treatment. The officer and deputy spoke to other juveniles and learned they had used narcotics at an apartment in the 100 block of E. State St. Officers assisted the deputy in serving a narcotics search warrant at about 2 am 12/14. Charges will be handled by the deputy.

Thursday, Dec. 13: At 3:24 pm an officer investigated a single vehicle property damage accident at Greene County Medical Center. Janet Meiners of Jefferson had parked her 2017 Subaru Forester facing south in the main parking lot. Meiners’ vehicle lunged forward, through the short block retaining wall, and off the edge of the parking lot. The vehicle came to rest on the sidewalk below the lot. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $5,000. Damage to the retaining wall was estimated at $2,000. ***** Two local businesses reported receiving the “Bomb Threat” e-mail. The e-mail was circulated across the nation and Iowa yesterday to numerous business. It advises a bomb has been placed in your business and it will be set off unless you pay $20,000 to the sender. No loss was incurred by local businesses. ***** An officer has requested an arrest warrant for Tyler James Smits, 26, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault -serious*. The request comes from a reported domestic assault on 11/24 at a residence in the 300 block of W. Reed St.

Wednesday, Dec. 12: At 1:58 am an officer performed a traffic stop in the 300 block of N. Oak St with a speeding vehicle that failed to obey the yield sign on N. Oak at W. State St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Renae Baugh, 36, of Jefferson for operating while intoxicated- second offense (aggravated misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for excessive speed and failure to obey a yield sign. At 9:27 pm a complainant reported that a male and female came to her residence at in the 600 block of Rushview Dr at about 2 pm. The two advised they were selling cheaper health insurance options. During the conversation the two were given some personal information by the complainant. They advised they would have to call her back at a later time to talk further and left. The couple were driving a dark colored SUV.

Tuesday, Dec. 11: At 12:45 am staff at Sparky’s requested officers there for a customer with multiple knives in his hands and not making sense. The officer and a deputy arrived and located the male behind the counter. He was armed with several knives and was advising that people were after him. The male dropped the knives when ordered to do so by the officer. Willie Edward Cork, 56, of Mason City was arrested for disorderly conduct*. He was later seen by Mobile Crisis Workers in the Greene County jail. At 1:50 pm a complainant reported a possible violation of a protective order which had occurred in the 300 block of N Vine St. The officer is investigating. At 8:09 pm an officer was called to A & W Family Restaurant for a hit-and-run accident. Ashley Scanlon of Jefferson had parked her 2009 Pontiac G6 in the lot. She saw a driver back into her car and then drive away. The officer was provided a license plate number for the vehicle and he made contact with Trina Ramsey of Jefferson, driver and owner of the 2018 Toyota Rav4 that had struck Scanlon’s car. Ramsey advised she didn’t know she had struck the other vehicle. Damage to Scanlon’s vehicle was estimated at $2,000. Damage to Ramsey’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000. No citation was issued as the accident occurred on private property.

Monday, Dec. 10: At 8:38 am an officer had a box truck blocking the alley in the 100 block of S. Wilson Ave towed. Officers have warned the owner numerous times he can not block the alley. The truck had sat in the alley overnight and was towed.

Sunday, Dec. 9: At 11:03 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 500 block of S. Locust St. Jennie Schuttler of Jefferson attempted to make a three-point turn with her 2005 Volvo XC90, but backed into a 2017 Ram 1500 owned by Wayne Shannon of Jefferson. Schuttler was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. Each vehicle suffered a reported $1,000 in damages.

Saturday, Dec.8: At 3:03 pm officers arrested Robert Kovar, 33, of Jefferson on an outstanding Jefferson PD arrest warrant for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. The warrant was issued from an investigation into a shoplifting event at Casey’s General Store on 10/27. During the arrest, officers located suspected methamphetamines on Kovar’s person. The items will be tested and future charges are pending test results. At 5:30 pm a complainant reported witnessing a child abuse occur at HyVee. It was reported a father struck a child in the back of the head and the stomach. The officer is working with the business to find any video of the reported event. The investigation continues.

Friday, Dec. 7: At 3:23 pm an officer responded to a hit-and-run accident at W. Washington and N. Chestnut Sts. Arlene Hamling of Jefferson was westbound on Washington driving her 2008 Saturn Outlook. As she traveled through the intersection a northbound vehicle struck her and continued north without stopping. Hamling’s vehicle was a total loss at $8,000 in damages. A license plate was located at the scene from the other vehicle involved. The officer is working to identify the driver and gather insurance information for the other vehicle. Also at 3:28 pm, Brittany Richardson reported the same hit-and-run driver had struck a parked Chevy S-10 pickup truck owned by William Richardson of Jefferson. Damage to Richardson’s vehicle was estimated at $1,500. Grille parts at the scene are consistent with the vehicle that struck Hamling’s vehicle. The officer is investigating. At 4:35 pm a complainant reported the possible theft of a cell phone and tablet. She had loaned them to a friend; the friend refused to return them. The officer is investigating. At 5:11 pm staff at HyVee reported a Jefferson male who was trespassed from the business had gone into the Fresh and Fast fuel station. Staff requested the male be told he is not welcome at any HyVee property in Jefferson. The officer located the male and informed him. At 6:55 pm a resident requested a welfare check on a female who was mixing alcohol and prescription medications and experiencing seizures due to her intoxication level. Officers arrived and could not get the female to respond to the door. The officer contacted the county attorney and was advised to force entry into the residence to check on the female. They did so and EMS was called to the scene. The female was taken by ambulance to ER.

Thursday, Dec. 6: At 8:02 am an officer investigated a two vehicle property damage accident in the 600 block of S. Olive St. Tyler Armstrong of Jefferson was southbound driving a 1999 Ford F150 pickup truck owned by Chad Stevens of Ralston. Carol Christensen of Jefferson backed her 2015 Kia Sportage out of a residential driveway and struck the pickup truck. Christensen was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. Damage to her car was estimated at $3,000. Damage to the pickup truck was estimated at $5,000. At 2:34 pm adults at the Webb House reported a stray dog there. The officer placed the dog in the animal holding facility. At 10:21 pm an officer assisted a deputy in searching for a stolen vehicle last seen in Grand Junction.

Wednesday, Dec. 5: Routine activity reported.

Tuesday, Dec. 4: *****A warrant has been requested for Robert Kovar, 33, of Jefferson on a charge of theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. The warrant is in connection with a shoplifting event at Casey’s General Store on 10/27.

Monday, Dec. 3: At 5:43 pm an officer responded to a car- deer accident on S. Mulberry St just north of Graffiti Bridge. Jeff Sprague of Jefferson struck a deer. Damage to his 2006 Ford Escape was estimated at $2,000. At 10:18 pm the Boone County sheriff’s office shared information with a Jefferson officer in connection to a male subject who may be coming to Jefferson. The subject is wanted in connection to a murder in Waukee. The officer was provided with a vehicle to attempt to locate in Jefferson. The vehicle was not located by the officer.

Sunday, Dec. 2: At 12:25 am an officer checked on a motorist that had slid and wrecked his moped at N. Maple and W. Adams Sts. The male subject was uninjured and continued on his way. At 2:23 am while on patrol an officer spotted two male juveniles near S. Chestnut and Monroe St. He learned the brothers had snuck out of their residence and gone to a friend’s house. The boys’ after was contacted and the boys were cited for curfew violations. At 9:50 am Bill Hammell reported his 2015 Ford F350 pickup truck had been struck while it was parked in the 100 block of W. State St, causing damage to an outside mirror. The officer is investigating. *****Officers issued 24 citations for snow emergency parking violations during the weekend snow event.

Saturday, Dec. 1: At 12:57 am an officer performed a traffic stop with a vehicle in the 300 block of W. Central Ave that did not have plates displayed. During the stop, the officer was given consent by the owner to search the vehicle. The officer located a suspected meth pipe in the door pocket and seized it for testing. Charges are pending test results on the pipe. At 1:11 am neighbors advised of a running vehicle parked in a garage in the 700 block of S. Oak St. Officers arrived and received no response at the door. Officers entered the residence to do a welfare check and located the vehicle’s owner in bed asleep. She advised the vehicle was running to charge the battery and she forgot about it and went to bed. All was fine. At7:21 pm during a traffic stop of a speeding motorist in the 300 block of W. Clark St the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During a probable cause search the officer located three smoking devices in the vehicle. The items were seized for testing. The driver was cited for excessive speed. Future charges are pending against the driver after testing is conducted on the seized items.

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

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