Sheriff’s report – November 2019

Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Greene County sheriff’s office:

Saturday, Nov. 30: At 12:02 pm a deputy investigated a car-deer accident on Highway 30 and County Road P-33 (S Ave) west of Grand Junction. Darwin Ritchie, 58, of Grand Junction struck a deer with his 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, causing an estimated $2,000 damage to the vehicle.Friday, Nov. 29: At 12:32 am a deputy assisted the Jefferson PD with a search warrant in the 300 block of West Lincoln Way. At 9:53 am a deputy investigated a theft in the 800 block of Hills Ave in Churdan. At 12:54 pm a deputy investigated a burglary in the 100 block of E. Main St in Grand Junction. At 1:12 pm a deputy picked up a German shepherd in the 900 block of Cedar St in Scranton. The dog was taken to the animal holding facility. At 4:33 pm a deputy investigated a complaint of trespass in the 500 block of W. Main St in Grand Junction.

Thursday, Nov. 28: At 4:55 pm a deputy investigated a report of pigs being near the roadway on Highway 144 near 250th St south of Grand Junction. At 11:33 pm a deputy investigated a car-deer accident on County Road E-33 190th Street near County Road P-14 (J Ave) in Bristol Township. Timothy Hose, 31, of Glidden struck a deer with his 2003 Jeep Cherokee, causing an estimated $800 damage to the vehicle.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: At 9:10 am a deputy assisted the secondary roads department with a large tree that fell across Count Road N-65 (D Ave) near 177th St in Kendrick Township. At 10:29 am a deputy investigated a complaint of illegal hunting in the 800 block of 110th St in Highland Township. At 3:10 pm a deputy investigated a complaint of hog manure on the roadway on I Avenue and County Road E-57 (290th St). At 8:05 pm a deputy assisted the Guthrie County sheriff’s office with a barricaded subject in Stuart.

Tuesday, Nov. 26: At 8:12 am a deputy assisted with cattle out on L Ave near County Road E-57 (290th St) in Greenbrier Township. At 10:58 am a deputy investigated a Facebook scam in Grand Junction. At 3:22 pm a deputy investigated a theft in the 500 block of N. 16th St in Grand Junction.

Monday, Nov. 25: At 8:43 am a deputy investigated a dog bite in the 300 block of 140th St in Cedar Township. At 9:20 am a deputy investigated a complaint of mud on the roadway on County Road P-46 (X Ave) near County Road E-18 (130th St) in Paton Township.

Sunday, Nov. 24: At 3:55 am a deputy investigated a trespass complaint in the 2400 block of 337th St in Washington Township. At 7:08 am a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway near 150th St in Hardin Township. During the stop the deputy noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Suspected marijuana, prescription medications, and drug paraphernalia were located. Charges are pending lab results.

Saturday, Nov. 23: At 11:43 am a deputy investigated complaint of improperly installed street signs in the 800 block of Locust St in Scranton. At 1:41 pm a deputy and Scranton fire responded to Casey’s in Scranton for a fuel spill. At 10:25 pm a deputy removed a deer from the roadway on Highway 25 near 250th St south of Scranton.

Friday, Nov. 22: At 5:36 pm a deputy investigated a hunter who was actively hunting in the city Limits on E. Central Ave Jefferson. At 6:09 pm a deputy investigated an illegal hunting complaint on 222nd St just east of Jefferson.

Thursday, Nov. 21: At 12:26 am a deputy took a report of a dog running at large on 270th Street near County Road P-14 (J Ave) in Greenbrier Township. At 3:56 pm a deputy attempted to locate cattle out on P-14 near the railroad tracks in Jackson Township. At 4:37 pm a deputy investigated a dog bite in the 1000 block of 150th St in Dawson Township. At 5:33 pm a deputy issued a salvage tag for a deer on Highway 30 near K Ave west of Jefferson.

Wednesday, No. 20: At 7:25 am a deputy investigated a car-deer accident on County Road E-26 (170th St) near County Road P-46 (W Ave) east of Dana. Heather Berglund, 50, of Dayton struck a deer with her 2015 Chrysler Town and County minivan. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,500. At 11:28 am a deputy investigated a single vehicle accident on County Road E-26 near County Road P-33 (S Ave) west of Dana. James Cayler, 77, of Fort Dodge lost control of his 2017 GMC Sierra and entered the south ditch. All airbags deployed and no one was injured. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $8,000.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: At 7:12 am a deputy investigated a two-vehicle accident on Pearl St in Farlin. Mavis Sawhill, 62, of Jefferson was northbound on Pearl St driving a Greene County Schools bus with 10 students on board. Mikey Smith, 16, of Jefferson was eastbound on Merriam Street and failed to yield the right of way. The bus struck Smith’s vehicle. No bus passengers. A passenger in the car was transported to Greene County Medical Center by Greene County Ambulance. Damage to Smith’s 2001 Ford Escort exceeded value. Damage to the bus was estimated at $300.

Monday, Nov. 18: At 3:17 am a deputy investigated a report of smoke in Rippey. The smoke was steam coming from the dryers at the co-op. At 6:28 am a deputy conducted a traffic stop on H Ave and 130th St. Richard Sabus, 56, of Churdan was arrested for driving without an interlock device and driving while license barred*. At 7:30 am a deputy removed a deer from the roadway on County Road N-65 (D Ave) near 177th St in Kendrick Township. At 10:50 am the sheriff investigated a complaint of illegal dumping on Eaton Ave at Brown’s river access in Bristol Township. At 2:20 pm a deputy investigated a dog bite in Scranton.

Sunday, Nov. 17: At 10:36 pm a deputy investigated a theft in the 100 block of E. Hager St in Grand Junction.

Saturday, Nov. 16: At 2:35 pm a deputy assisted with catching dogs running at large in the 400 block of Percival St in Rippey. At 5:30 pm the Greene County sheriff’s office conducted a search warrant for illegal narcotics in the 800 block of Percival St in Grand Junction. Suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located.

Friday, Nov. 15: At 12:02 pm a deputy, Grand Junction fire, and Paton fire responded to a tractor fire in on County Road E-26 (170th St) near W Ave in Junction Township. The tractor was a total loss. At 3:33 pm a deputy and Scranton fire responded to a car fire on County Road E-57 (290th St) and C Ave in Willow Township. The 1997 Buick Regal was a total loss. The trailer the car was loaded into was also severely damaged. At 4:06 pm a deputy and the Jefferson fire department responded to a structure fire in the 900 block of 200th St in Bristol Township. The small out building was a total loss. At 9:32 pm a deputy stopped a vehicle on Highway 30 because the driver was traveling at 78 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver, Zachary Flinn, 26, of Rippey, was arrested for operating without an interlock device*.

Thursday, Nov. 14: At 12:06 am a deputy assisted a jailer with an unruly inmate. At 9:01 pm the sheriff and deputies arrested Kole Higgins, 25, of Glidden on warrants for a probation revocation and burglary- third degree. Higgins was also charged with driving while license barred*.

Wednesday, Nov. 13: At 9:25 am a deputy investigated a school bus violation in Rippey. At 8:05 pm a deputy arrested Charles Kaufman, 55, of Perry on arrest warrants for possession of methamphetamine- third offense and possession of drug paraphernalia*.

Tuesday, Nov. 12: At 9:29 am a deputy investigated a harassment complaint in the 1100 block of Orchard Ave in Hardin Township. At 1:11 pm a deputy investigated a violation of a no contact order in the 1400 block of 160th St in Dawson Township.

Monday, Nov. 11: At 7:25 am a deputy assisted an Iowa State trooper with a truck in the ditch on Highway 30 near K Ave west of Jefferson. At 8:23 am a deputy assisted an Iowa State trooper with car in the ditch on Highway 4 near 330th St in Franklin Township. At 9:11 am a deputy investigated a car in the ditch with no damage on Highway 4 near 300th St in Franklin Township. At 3:44 pm a deputy assisted the Guthrie County sheriff’s office with a intoxicated driver.

Sunday, Nov. 10: At 7:39 am a deputy issued a salvage tag for a deer on Highway 4 near the Jefferson Community Golf Course.

Saturday, Nov. 9: At 12:23 pm a deputy investigated a two-vehicle accident on Highway 30 at Highway 144 at Grand Junction. Joyce Ausberger, 80, of Jefferson was northbound on Highway 144 driving a 2006 Jeep Liberty. She failed to yield at the intersection and struck an eastbound 2017 Nissan Armada driven by Jill Pudenz, 49, of Carroll. There were no injuries. Ausberger was cited for failure to yield upon entering a through highway. At 5:44 pm a deputy removed a deer from the roadway on 320th St and Y Ave in Washington Township. At 7:19 pm a deputy removed a deer from the roadway on Highway 4 near 250th St south of Jefferson.

Friday, Nov. 8: At 6:45 am a deputy assisted the Jefferson PD with a two-car accident on Highway 30 at Grimmell Rd. At 5:57 pm a deputy investigated a car-deer accident on Highway 30 at Orchard Ave east of Jefferson. John Gerald, 62, of Jefferson struck a deer with his 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, causing an estimated $2,500 damage to it.

Thursday, Nov. 7: At 11:20 am Mark Meddenhall, 47, of Fort Dodge was booked into the jail for identity theft, ongoing criminal conduct, forgery, and theft- third degree*. At 6:43 pm a deputy investigated a complaint of criminal mischief in the 900 block of County Road E-33 (190th St) in Bristol Township.

Wednesday, Nov. 6: At 3:30 pm a deputy investigated a truck that was in the ditch on County Road P-14 (J Ave) near 270th St in Greenbrier Township. Michael Hofbauer, 36, of Coon Rapids was arrested for operating while intoxicated- first offense*. He was cited for failure to maintain control. At 7:49 pm a deputy investigated a snowmobile complaint at the Scranton city park. At 11:16 pm a deputy investigated an assault in Grand Junction.

Tuesday, Nov. 5: At 10:13 am a deputy investigated a case of animal neglect at a residence in Scranton. At 10:33 am a deputy picked up Kayden Nelson, 18, of Jefferson from the Guthrie County sheriff’s office on arrest warrant warrants for operating without owner’s consent and possession of a controlled substance- first offense*. At 4:51 m a deputy investigated a complaint of harassment in Scranton.

Monday, Nov. 4: At 5:25 pm a deputy investigated a complaint of harassment in Rippey. At 5:57 pm a deputy and Jefferson fire department responded to a stock bail fire on County Roads E-57 (290th St) and P-14 (J Ave) in Greenbrier Township.

Sunday, Nov. 3: At 7:05 am a deputy investigated a complaint of illegal hunting in the 300 block of County Road N-65 (D Ave) in Cedar Township. At 11:41 am a deputy investigated a burglary in the 2100 block of I Ave in Greenbrier Township.

Saturday, Nov. 2: At 10:21 am a deputy assisted with a semi that had the trailer slide into the ditch on 280th St and O Ave in Grant Township. At 5:49 pm a deputy investigated a burglary in the 400 block of E. Main St in Grand Junction. At 6:56 pm a deputy arrested David Holley, 50, of Scranton on arrest warrants for possession of a controlled substance- second offense and possession of drug paraphernalia*. At 8:43 pm a deputy investigated a complaint of trespass in Grand Junction. At 9:03 pm a deputy assisted an Iowa State patrolman with an accident in the 100 block of 9th St in Grand Junction.

Friday, Nov. 1: At 11:24 am a deputy investigated a trespass complaint in the 1600 block of G Ave in Jackson Township. At 7:17 pm a deputy investigated a complaint of harassment in Churdan. At 7:19 pm a deputy investigated a complaint of harassment in Grand Junction.

*In all cases when a defendant has been charged this is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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