Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Greene County sheriff’s office:
Sunday, Jan. 31: At 3:13 am a deputy was dispatched to 2400 block of 180th St in Junction Township to investigate the report of a vehicle that had slid into the ditch and rolled several times. The vehicle was unoccupied and the driver is not known at this time. The vehicle was estimated to be a total loss with the investigation ongoing at this time.
Saturday, Jan. 30: At 12:30 am five members of the Greene County sheriff’s office were dispatched to the 500 block of 170th Street in Dana, for a reported underage drinking party. The home was vacant at this time. Extensive damage was done to the inside of the home. Seven young adults were apprehended as they fled the scene. Arrest warrants and charges will be filed upon two organizers of the party. At 12:51 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 1200 block of 290th St in Junction Township to investigate the report of a male subject shooting from a pickup. The identity of the truck and driver is known. At 8:21 pm a deputy and the Jefferson fire department were dispatched to 1950 M Ave in Jackson Township for a vehicle fire. Joshua Jordan, 29, of rural Scranton told the deputy that he was doing hog chores at the building site, and when he exited the building, found his truck on fire. Jordan was not injured but his truck was a total loss.
Friday, Jan. 29: At 4:18 pm a deputy spoke with a resident in the 1000 block of Sand St in Churdan about a harassment concern involving text messages received by a family member. At 7:15 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 700 block of County Road N-65 (D Ave) in Kendrick Township for a reported car-deer accident. Abby Ann Jacobsen, 25, of Churdan, was southbound on N-65 when a deer bolted from the ditch and struck her 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT. Jacobson was not injured but her vehicle sustained moderate damage. At 8:46 pm a deputy was dispatched to the old block plant area in Grand Junction to investigate the report of someone hearing what they thought were gunshots. The deputy was not able to determine the origin of the suspected gunshots. At 10:13 pm a deputy was assisted by two JPD officers in apprehending Andrew Jensen, an inmate at the Greene County jail, after he bolted from the jail area while he was being taken back to his cell. Jensen ran through an unlocked security door. By throwing the weight of his body through a small unsecure door adjacent to the visitation area he was able to gain access to the outside by way of the front door. Two JPD officers were able to locate Jensen in a fifth wheel camper in the 300 block of E. Harrison, several blocks from the Law Enforcement Center. The police officers escorted Andrew Jensen back to jail. The deputy charged Jensen with escape and criminal mischief- fourth degree*.
Thursday, Jan. 28: Routine activity reported.
Wednesday, Jan. 27: At 12:16 am deputies helped with traffic control during the Pizza Ranch fire at 206 N. Wilson in Jefferson.
Tuesday, Jan. 26: At 10:52 am the sheriff investigated a burglary and theft of personal property from a rural residence.
Monday, Jan. 25: At 11:30 am a deputy investigated the theft or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle from a residence in Grand Junction. At 2:37 pm Greene County deputies assisted deputies from Boone County responding to a burglary and the theft of personal property from a rural building site in Boone County near the Greene County line. The vehicle in question was located in Greene County. At 5:30 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 1800 block of County Road E-18 (130th St) west of Paton to investigate the report of a mail box being struck by a vehicle due to slick road conditions.
Sunday, Jan. 24: At 2:53 pm a deputy was advised of a cow walking down the middle of the road on Highway 30 just east of County Road P-14 ( J Ave) west of Jefferson. Upon the deputy’s arrival, traffic was backed up in both directions while drivers were trying to get the cow off the roadway. The cow was soon moved to a building site and secured.
Saturday, Jan. 23: At 10 am a deputy was advised of a burglary and theft of property from a farm building site in the 2200 block of 210th St in Junction Township. At 11:30 am a deputy was advised of a car-deer accident on N-65 near Hyde Park in Kendrick Township that occurred the previous morning and the car owner will be picking up a state accident report at the LEC. At 4:07 pm a deputy was dispatched to a single vehicle roll-over accident that occurred on Highway 30, one mile east of Scranton. Dan William Kratoska, 61, of Carroll, lost control of his 2005 Ford Ranger pickup truck due to icy conditions and the vehicle rolled several times in the north ditch. Damage to the vehicle was estimated to be $3,000 with no injuries reported. At 6:08 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 800 block of Highway 30 East in Grand Junction to investigate criminal mischief to a vehicle.
Friday, Jan. 22: At 8:33 am, a deputy was advised of a trespassing concern in the 900 block of Grant St in Scranton. At 3:57 pm a deputy was dispatched to a single vehicle accident on Highway 25 at County Road E-57 (290th St) in Willow Township. The driver of a Quick Oil Company truck was issued a citation for failure to obey a stop sign at E-57 after he failed to see a southbound 2001 Hyundai being driven by Robert Lee Smith of Jamaica, causing Smith to take evasive action and drive into the southwest ditch at the intersection to avoid striking the truck. No injuries were reported by either driver but Smith’s vehicle did sustain extensive damage. At 8:34 pm a deputy was asked to meet a Webster County Deputy on County Road P-29 (N Ave) near County Road E-18 (130th St) in Dawson Township to transport Adam James Elsberry, 26, of Gowrie, to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center, after he was arrested in Webster County on an outstanding Greene County warrant for theft-second degree (three counts)*.
Thursday, Jan. 21: At 8:41 am two deputies responded to single vehicle accident that occurred on County Road E-53 (237th St) at the Raccoon River Bridge west of Jefferson. Beth Marie Leppegard told deputies that she was eastbound when she lost control and struck the bridge guard rail. Leppegard was not injured but her 2006 Hyundi Accent sustained an estimated $6,500 in damages. Leppegard was issued a citation for failure to maintain control of her vehicle.
Wednesday, Jan. 20: At 12:17 am a deputy was advised of a vehicle in the ditch in the 1800 block of 305th St in Franklin Township. The vehicle and driver were located by the deputy and he reported no injuries to the driver or damage to the car. At 12:44 pm two deputies assisted JPD officers with a traffic stop and the arrest of a male subject on Sunset Drive in Jefferson. At 1:17 pm a deputy was asked to help locate a vehicle that was not returned to a Grand Junction resident in the 900 block of Main Street East. At 2:58 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 300 block of Howard Street in Rippey to investigate a harassment concern and the welfare of a juvenile male. At 8:18 pm a deputy was asked to assist jailers at the Greene County Law Enforcement Center with an inmate that was out of control after his arrest.
Tuesday, Jan. 19: At 4:15 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 1600 block of County Road E-53 (235th St) east of Jefferson to investigate the theft of a license plate from a vehicle. At 5:12 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 600 block of Jay St in Churdan to investigate the theft of a wallet from a vehicle. At 5:25 pm a deputy was dispatched to the Casey’s General Store in Scranton for the report of a two vehicle accident. Details of vehicles and drivers involved were not provided.
Monday, Jan. 18: No activity.
Sunday, Jan. 17: At 7:52 am the sheriff was dispatched to the 800 block of Percival St in Grand Junction to investigate the theft of a vehicle. Charges are pending further investigation. At 12:30 pm the chief deputy sheriff was dispatched to a single vehicle roll-over accident at the intersection of 110th Street and A Ave in Cedar Township. The driver, Cody Jerome Schleisman, 25, of Lake City had left the scene of the accident and returned to Lake City. Schleisman was not injured but his 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup sustained an estimated $4, 000 in damages.
Saturday, Jan. 16: No activity.
Friday, Jan. 15: At 8 am the chief deputy sheriff investigated a burglary and theft of personal property from a building site in the 1900 block of Locust St in Scranton.
Thursday, Jan. 14: At 5:58 pm a deputy was dispatched to investigate the report of a car-deer accident on County Road E-53 (237th St) near Kirkwood Ave west of Jefferson. Melinda Marie Madison-Millard, 40, of Jefferson was eastbound on E-53 when a deer ran onto the roadway and struck her 2001 Dodge Caravan. Millard sustained a minor shoulder injury and later went to the Greene County Medical Center for further medical help. Damage to the vehicle was estimated to be $3,500. A DNR salvage tag for the deer was also issued to Madison-Millard at that time. At 7:09 pm a deputy spoke with a resident in the 200 block of Anyer St in Dana about a harassment concern.
Wednesday, Jan. 13: At 3:23 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 700 block of Walnut St in Scranton to investigate a burglary and theft of personal property.
Tuesday, Jan. 12: At 8:24 pm a deputy was asked to check the welfare of a female in the 900 block of X Ave in Junction Township. The female has been absent from work for several days and has not communicated with family members. The female was eventually found.
Monday, Jan. 11: At 12 pm a deputy investigated many counts of phone harassment and the violation of a no contact order at a residence in the 500 block of 11th Street S. in Grand Junction. At 12:30 pm a deputy was advised of an identity theft case that occurred out of state that involved a Scranton resident. At 1:36 pm a deputy, the chief deputy sheriff and an Iowa State Patrol trooper all responded to Grand Junction for the report of a female that was driving from Dallas to Greene County on Highway 144 who was stopped by a male subject, also driving in the same direction. The female stated that she was harassed and not allowed to continue. The described vehicle and driver were soon located on Hager St in Grand Junction. The driver of the vehicle, Richard Dean Tuhn Jr, 36, of Grand Junction was subsequently arrested for the violation of a no contact order and harassment –third degree (100 counts)*. This call is also related to the earlier 12 pm call in Grand Junction. At 3:55 pm, a deputy assisted an ISP officer with a traffic stop and the arrest of the female driver, Teisha Ann Thomas, 22, of Vail for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia*.
Sunday, Jan. 10: Routine activity reported.
Saturday, Jan. 9: No calls for service.
Friday, Jan. 8: At 2:48 pm three members of the Greene County sheriff’s office responded to the 500 block of 11th St South in Grand Junction after receiving a report of the violation of a no contact order. After an investigation, the deputy arrested Rebecca Chumbley 32, of Grand Junction for the violation of a no contact/protective order*. Later in the day, at another residence in Grand Junction, a deputy located and arrested Richard Tuhn, 37, of Grand Junction for violation of a no contact/protective order connected with the same investigation*. At 5:34 pm a deputy was dispatched to the “S” curves on County Road E-53 (S Ave) east of Jefferson for a single vehicle accident. Charlene Sue Heater, 48, of Jefferson reported that she was slowing for deer crossing the roadway and due to slick road conditions her vehicle slid into the ditch. Heater was not injured and her 2008 Ford sustained no damage. The deputy assisted with traffic control until the car was removed. At 7:12 pm a deputy was dispatched to a single vehicle accident reported on Highway 30 near the Greene-Boone County line. Amber Lynn Richards, 40, of Grand Junction reported that she was westbound on Highway 30 when due to road conditions her 2003 F250 Ford pickup began to swerve and entered the north ditch, coming to rest on its side. Richards was helped from her vehicle by other drivers stopping to help. She was not injured but her vehicle was estimated to be a total loss. At 10:38 pm a deputy was dispatched to a reported two vehicle accident involving a DOT snowplow and a vehicle being driven by Carissa Jean Steinkamp, 24, Of Maxwell. Steinkamp reported that she was westbound on Highway 30 near H Ave west of Jefferson and attempting to pass the westbound DOT plow when she slid into the front tire of the plow, causing her 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada to enter the south ditch. Steinkamp was not injured and her vehicle sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported to the DOT plow operator and no damage to the truck. Steinkamp was issued a citation for unsafe passing.
Thursday, Jan. 7: At 8:30 am the chief deputy sheriff investigated damage to a panel in the ceiling at the Greene County jail that was caused by an inmate. Coleman Keith Marlow, 35, of Grand Junction will be charged with criminal mischief – fifth degree*.
Wednesday, Jan. 6: At 6:10 pm a deputy was dispatched to Churdan to investigate a two vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 4. Marilyn Sue Bannister, 69, of Lohrville was northbound on Highway 4 driving a 2007 Ford Edge when Jake Brian Berns, 16, of rural Lohrville, who was driving a 1993 Toyota, attempted to pass and struck the rear of her vehicle, causing Berns to go into the west ditch. No injuries were reported and only minor damage was sustained by either vehicle. Berns was cited for failure to maintain control. At 7:28 pm a deputy was dispatched to a reported vehicle in the ditch on County Road E-53 (235th St) near the S curves east of Jefferson. The vehicle had been removed before the deputy’s arrival. At 8:03 pm a deputy was dispatched for a second vehicle in the ditch on E-53 near Highway 144, just west of Grand Junction. After an investigation the deputy issued Jose Luis Cuevas of California a citation for no valid driver’s license.
Tuesday, Jan. 5: Routine activity reported.
Monday, Jan. 4: Routine activity reported.
Sunday, Jan. 3: At 12:35 am a deputy was unable to stop two vehicles leaving Greene County and entering Boone County that were reported to be driving careless and speeding. At 1:01 am a deputy initiated a traffic stop in the 600 block of Highway 30 east of Scranton on an eastbound vehicle that was locked on the deputy’s radar at 98 MPH. After speaking with the driver, field sobriety was performed on the male subject. Subsequently arrested and taken into custody was Nathan James Flinn, 22, of Rippey for speed, open container, possession of drug paraphernalia, OWI – first offense and possession of a controlled substance*.
Saturday, Jan. 2: At 2:48 am a deputy was dispatched to the 100 block of Main St in Grand Junction for three males walking around the town knocking on doors. The three males were located and administered field sobriety after the deputy spoke with the three. Taken into custody at that time was Devon Christopher Miller, 20, of Ames for possession of alcohol by a person 18/19/20 – first offense and possession of prescription drugs (serious misdemeanor)*. Also taken into custody at that time was a juvenile male that was also transported by the deputy to the Law Enforcement Center for possession of alcohol. At 8:21 am a deputy was dispatched to the 300 block of State St in Scranton to investigate a reported assault. The assault is under investigation at this time with charges pending. At 1:08 pm a deputy was dispatched and is investigating a serious assault with injury at a residence in the 400 block of 16th Street North in Grand Junction. Eric John Hellman, 29, of Panora was transported to the Greene County Medical center by Greene County EMS and Grand Junction fire and rescue with extensive head injuries. Those persons involved in the assault are still being determined at this time.
Friday, Jan. 1: At 12:46 am, a deputy and an Iowa State Patrol officer responded to a vehicle in the ditch in the 800 block of Highway 4 in Hardin Township. Both the deputy and the trooper were soon dispatched to a nearby home to check the report of a male subject knocking at the back door. Upon the arrival and investigation by both officers, Don Eugene Wallace, 77, of Churdan, was taken into custody by the Iowa State trooper for operating while intoxicated-third offense (felony)*. At 9:18 am, a deputy assisted the Department of Human Services with a house check in the 300 block of Howard St in Rippey. Several hours later, four members of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office returned with a search warrant for that residence and its occupants. After searching the home, deputies found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and other drug residue. Charges are pending further investigation and state laboratory identification. At 1:52 pm, a deputy assisted Jefferson police officers with a 911 call and arrest at the Cobblestone Inn parking lot. The female was taken into custody and booked into the Greene County jail. At 3:16 pm a deputy checked a vehicle that had slid into the ditch northwest of Rippey on Highway 144 due to blowing snow covering the roadway. At 7:25 pm a deputy assisted an Iowa State trooper with an accident after a short high speed chase that ended with the car going into the ditch at 240th St and C Ave in Scranton Township. Arrested by the Iowa State trooper was Blaine Matthew Stockwell, 31, of Laurens for eluding*. At 8:59 pm, a deputy was asked to assist JPD officers at the Greene County jail for a male subject who had become belligerent after his arrest for OWI.
*In all cases when a defendant has been charged, this is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
