Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Tuesday, Jan. 31: At 10:18 am public works staff advised an officer of several bags of garbage being illegally placed in the dumpster at the Jefferson public library. Mail in the garbage provided a suspect for the officer, who is attempting to contact the subject about the theft of services. At 1:45 pm officers witnessed a female drive to the LEC to visit a subject being held in jail. The officer had previous knowledge that the female was suspended from driving in Iowa. The officer’s investigation led to Tanisha May Dillinger of Perry being cited for, driving while suspended, operation without registration, and fail to provide proof of financial liability. The officer had the vehicle towed to the impound lot until a licensed driver comes to remove it. It also will need proof of insurance and a current registration.
At 3:15 pm staff at Kum & Go reported a shoplifting that occurred at 1:27 am the previous day. Video of the event has been provided to the officer and the investigation continues. At 3:22 pm officers investigated a hit and run accident at Genesis Development. A 2005 Buick Lesabre owned by Dennis Borkowski of Jefferson was parked at the facility. Witnesses saw a white SUV back from a parking space across the street from Borkowski’s vehicle. The trailer hitch on the SUV made very light contact with the door on the Borkowski vehicle. The driver was unaware he had struck the vehicle and drove away. The officer knows the subject in the SUV and is attempting to contact them. At 9:07 pm a complainant advised a stray cat entered his residence in the 800 block of W. Washington St through a cat door. The animal came to the living room and attacked his wife, causing scratches and cuts. The stray cat was able to get back out of the residence and was now gone. Officers searched the area, but could not locate an animal matching the description given.
Monday, Jan. 30: At 9:59 am a complainant reported the theft of a truck hitch receiver from a tool box in a vehicle at a residence in the 300 block of N. Cedar St. The complainant last saw the hitch in November. At 12:51 a resident brought an injured and sick cat to the LEC. The officer properly disposed of the animal. At 1:37 pm officers checked on a vehicle experiencing mechanical problems near Grimmell Rd and Russell St. The officer issued Shawn J. Gifford of Jefferson a citation for driving while suspended*. The vehicle was in the travelled portion of the roadway and the officer had the vehicle towed from the scene. At 4:08 pm a complainant reported a purse missing from a residence in the 500 block of N. Maple St. At 5:33 pm a complainant came to the LEC and reported that her husband had assaulted her at a residence in the 500 block of S. Locust St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Joseph Thomas Romeo, 46, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault – serious*.
Sunday, Jan. 29: At 1:25 pm staff at Kum & Go reported they had learned that an employee sold alcohol to an underage person on Jan. 20. They provided the officer with the video. The officer’s investigation has led to a 17-year-old male having juvenile charges of supplying alcohol to person under legal age. Brandon Douglas Dudley, 18, of Grand Junction has been charged with possession of alcohol under legal age*.
Saturday, Jan. 28: At 2:42 pm a complainant reported a lost wallet containing $1,200 in cash and several bank cards. He believed he may have lost the wallet the prior evening at Kum & Go. The office requested video of the event from Kum & Go. The video clearly showed the wallet fall from his pocket. A female picks up the wallet and leaves with it. The officer is investigating.
Friday, Jan. 27: At 8:07 am an officer investigated a two vehicle property damage accident at Greene County High School. Connor Gibson was pulling out of the parking lot driving a 2005 Chevrolet Impala owned by Michael Gibson. Josef Miller was pulling into the same driveway in his 2016 Ford Fusion. The two vehicles collided. The Gibson vehicle had a reported $1,000 in damage to the front end. The Miller vehicle suffered a reported $400 in damages to the front. The accident occurred outside the traffic way on private property, so no citation was issued. At 11:46 am an officer investigated a backing accident at A & W Family Restaurant. Jack Schilling was backing his 2007 Chrysler Town and Country minivan from a parking space and backed into a parked 2002 Ford Taurus owned by Larry Riley Jr. Damage to both vehicles was estimated at $500. No citation was issued due to the accident occurring on private property. At 7:25 pm a complainant requested an officer at a residence in the 700 block of W. Mahlon St. The complainant advised her landlord was outside and breaking all the windows out of the residence. She advised the landlord had assaulted her boyfriend. Officers arrived and the suspect had fled from the area. Greene County EMS was called and one subject was transported to ER with injuries. The officers are still investigating the event and future charges are expected in the matter.
Thursday, Jan. 26: At 8:50 am a complainant requested an officer to advise her neighbor to stop pushing his snow onto her property in the 1000 block of N. Cedar St. At 4:39 pm a complainant requested an officer in the 300 block of S. Grimmell Rd for criminal mischief that had occurred to his vehicle. At 6:50 pm staff at Oly’s Corner reported a gas drive off in the amount of $35.55.
Wednesday, Jan. 25: At 4:50 pm a deputy requested an officer to assist him by gathering information from a subject at ER. ***** Officers issued 10 citations for parking- snow ordinance violation during Tuesday’s snow event.
Tuesday, Jan. 24: At 3:45 am during a routine traffic stop at 900 E. Highway 30, an officer arrested a passenger in the vehicle who had an outstanding arrest warrant. Matthew David Blair, 38, of Scranton was arrested on a Cass County arrest warrant for possession of methamphetamine- aggravated*. At 10:36 am a Jefferson post office employee contacted an officer concerning a dog in the 400 block of E. Harrison St that was menacing to a mail carrier. The officer made contact with the animal’s owner and returned the animal with a verbal warning. The officer also gave the owner a time period to comply with animal licensing. At 2:12 pm a resident reported receiving a scam call. Someone claiming to represent Publishers Clearinghouse advised the resident he had won $30,000 but needed to send $399 to collect the prize. The resident ended the call and did not incur a loss.
Monday, Jan. 23: At 12:17 pm a complainant advised of a careless driver in a semi-tractor/trailer eastbound on Highway 30 approaching Jefferson from the west. The officer followed the subject for several miles east from Jefferson and did not witness any infractions. At 12:39 pm an officer arrested Seth Blitz, 25, of Perry on an outstanding arrest warrant from Dallas County for probation violation*. At 5:21 pm Randy Graven advised he had struck a deer near Russell St and Grimmell Rd. Graven reported no damage to his vehicle. The officer removed the deer from the roadway. At 7:46 pm a caller advised of a male walking in the 100 block of N. Wilson punching business buildings and screaming. Officers made contact with the male in the 100 block of S. Wilson. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Benjamin Farrell Borkowski, 21, of Jefferson for public Intoxication*. At 7:57 pm a complainant reported he had witnessed two subjects dressed in black attempting to break into his back door in the 1200 block of Westwood Drive. The complainant advised he had chased the suspects from his property. Officers were assisted by deputies is searching the area, but no evidence to support the report was located. At 11:22 pm a complainant reported a missing mule and donkey from property in the 1400 block of S. Elm St. The officer assisted in locating the animals and getting them back in the pen.
Sunday, Jan. 22: At 3:02 pm officers were requested at the Greene County Community Center for the report of a male juvenile outside showing other kids a handgun. The officer responded and spoke with several juveniles present. His investigation led to him meeting with a mother and her juvenile son in the 600 block of N. Cedar St. The juvenile reported having a pellet pistol and provided it to the officer. No reports were made that the juvenile had said anything, or used the gun in a threatening manner. The mother requested the officer to destroy the pellet gun. The officer is conferring with the juvenile court officer on possible charges in the matter. At 8:22 pm an officer took a burglary complaint in the 600 block of S. Oak St. The resident advised of damage to a door and missing cash and items from the residence. The officer is investigating.
Saturday, Jan. 21: At 8:25 am the sheriff’s office requested an officer to attempt to make contact with a vehicle’s owner at a residence in the 900 block of S. Chestnut St. The deputy had located the vehicle in a ditch in Bristol Township. The officer made contact with the owner and passed information back to the deputy. At 5:57 pm an officer was called to a residence in the 00 block of Park Ave South for a reported burglary. An unknown suspect entered the residence and removed a reported $1400 in cash and property. The officer has been given vehicle and suspect information. The investigation continues.
Friday, Jan. 20: At 7:58 am an officer investigated a two vehicle property damage accident in the semi parking lot at Sparky’s One Stop. A 2015 Dodge 1500, owned by MJ Electric, was parked and occupied facing primarily north. A 2001 Kenworth truck/trailer, owned by M & W Ag Supply and operated by Larry Minnihan, was travelling northbound. Minnihan turned left to be westbound. The middle of the trailer contacted the front passenger side of the Dodge. The officer estimated the damage to the Dodge Ram at $8,000. Approximately $500 was caused to the tractor/trailer. No citations were issued due to the accident occurring on private property. At 12:44 pm an officer began an investigation into the possible theft of services in the 300 block of E. Vest St. Water department employees had located a city water meter that had been tampered with. At 2:30 pm Norma Quario spoke with an officer at the LEC concerning a civil property issue occurring at a residence in the 300 block of S. Grimmell Rd. After completing the complaint process, Quario was arrested by the officer for two Greene County arrest warrants for failure to appear on traffic violations*. At 9:35 pm officers were requested at a residence in the 900 block of W. State St for an out of control intoxicated male. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Michael Marlin Matthews, 21, of Grand Junction for disorderly conduct and public intoxication, both simple misdemeanors*.
Thursday, Jan. 19: At 2:48 pm a complainant reported she had fallen victim to a phone/computer scam. The resident was contacted by a male, who advised he needed to gain access to her home computer to repair her anti-virus. She allowed the subject to connect to her computer. She later noticed all of her files were missing from her computer. The male called back and advised he could put her files back on the computer for a fee, but he needed her credit card number. The complainant realized at that point she had been scammed. Crimes such as this cannot be investigated. At 11:54 pm a complainant requested officers to remove an unwanted intoxicated male from his residence in the 300 block of E. Washington St. Michael Jon Molle, 55, of Jefferson was arrested for trespass- simple*.
Wednesday, Jan. 18: At 10:20 am a complainant advised that someone had attempted to gain entry into a residence in the 200 block of N. Oak St through a rear door. Entry was not made. At 11:24 am an officer arrested Brittany Kay Smith, 29, of Jefferson. Smith had an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of possession of methamphetamine. At 10:13 pm an officer arrested Mitchell Kenneth Venteicher, 32, of Jefferson on an outstanding Boone County arrest warrant for parole violation*. At 10:17 pm a complainant advised of two bicycles in the roadway in the 500 block of S. Locust St. The bikes appeared to have been run over by a vehicle. The officer placed them in the impound facility.
Tuesday, Jan. 17: At 4:09 pm a complainant reported the theft of a cellular phone from a residence in the 500 block of N. Chestnut St. The complainant suspected a juvenile male living at the residence was responsible. The officer spoke with the 16-year-old male and he advised the phone was in his room and he had taken it from his sister. The officer sent of a charge of theft- fifth degree to juvenile court. At 8:57 pm staff at Hy-Vee reported a male had just left the business without paying for a bottle of liquor. Officers made contact with the male near E. Lincoln Way and Locust St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Darren Scott Lehrkamp, 24, of Newton for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*.
Monday, Jan. 16: At 2:11 pm staff at H& R Block reported an abandoned walker in the 200 block of N. Wilson. The officer placed the walker in the impound lot. At 3:33 pm officers arrested Sean Michael Allen Pollard, 28, of Jefferson at on outstanding arrest warrants. Pollard had a probation revocation warrant from Story County, a non-payment of child support warrant from Lucas County, and a JPD arrest warrant for fraudulent use of credit card*. ******* Officers issued 24 snow emergency ordinance violations during last week’s snow event.
Sunday, Jan. 15: At 1:28 am an officer performed a traffic stop in the 300 block of N. Cedar St resulting in the arrest of Jeremy John Tasler, 40, of Ames for OWI- third offense (Class D felony)*. He was also cited for failure to give continuous turn signal. At 10:10 am a resident turned over a stray dog she had located in the 100 block of E. Central Ave. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility. At 10:12 am staff at Kum & Go advised of a transient male outside the business begging customers for money. The officer checked the male for warrants and sent him on his way.
Saturday, Jan. 14: At 12:35 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the alley of the 300 block of E. Lincoln Way. Roxanne Steburg of Jefferson struck a Jefferson Telecom box while backing her 2003 Buick Rendezvous the alley. The Steburg vehicle and the phone box both sustained minor damages. At 7:21 pm a complainant reported a missing/stolen government immunity card from a residence in the 600 block of E. Adams St.
Friday, Jan. 13: At 10:13 am a complainant reported a stray dog in the 200 block of E. Vest St. The animal was placed in the animal holding facility. At 2 pm an officer investigated a hit and run accident at Kum & Go. Tim Hegstrom advised as he was coming out of the business, he witnessed an elderly female strike his vehicle and then leave the area. Hegstrom’s 2000 GMC Sierra sustained minor damage to the front bumper cover. The officer is working to identify the other driver. At 11:48 am an officer arrested Michael Jason Godwin, 28, of Jefferson on an outstanding JPD arrest warrant for assault- serious*. The charge stems from a reported assault in the 300 block of S. Grimmell Rd on Jan. 3. At 9:54 pm a complainant reported the theft of prescription medications from a residence in the 300 block of S. Grimmell Rd. At 11:07 pm a traffic stop in the 700 block of N. Cedar St resulted in the arrest of Dustin Lynn Bushman, 20, of Fort Dodge for possession of alcohol by person under legal age (simple misdemeanor)*. He was cited for improper rear lamps and processed for a .02 alcohol violation, which is a DOT action against his driver’s license.
Thursday, Jan. 12: At 2:41 pm a complainant reported lost/stolen checks and cash from a residence in the 300 block of N. Chestnut St. The officer is investigating.
Wednesday, Jan. 11: At 10:30 am staff at Greene County Middle School provided information to an officer concerning a student bringing alcohol to school property and passing it to another student. The student provided the alcohol to school officials after it was given to them. The officer has spoken to a 16-year-old male and his parents. Charges will be sent to juvenile court for possession of alcohol by person under 21 years of age. At 11:45 am officers were advised of a driver chasing another driver around the city after a court hearing at the courthouse. The officer performed a traffic stop with one party and heard a different version than the first. The officer is investigating. At 5:06 pm a complainant reported the theft of an outdoor fire ring from a yard in the 600 block of W. State St.
Tuesday, Jan. 10: At 6:39 am an officer assisted the sheriff’s office with traffic control, just west of Jefferson on 240th St while a snow plow that had become stuck was removed from the roadway. At 5:57 pm the JPD was notified a stop sign had been knocked down at Highway 30 and N. Elm St. The DOT was contacted and a temporary sign was placed until repairs can be made. At 7:25 pm a complainant reported his wife, whose driving privileges are barred in the state of Iowa, had taken his vehicle from his residence in the 600 block of W. Washington St. The officer later located the vehicle and the man’s wife, which a licensed driver operating the vehicle. At 8:48 pm a traffic stop was performed in the 600 block of W. Washington St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of the complainant in the previous call, Scott Andrew Cram, 29, of Jefferson for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor) and careless driving (simple misdemeanor)*. ******* An arrest warrant has been applied for upon the conclusion of an investigation that began Dec. 31 at Hy-Vee. Alcohol had been removed from the business by a male without paying for the item. Video surveillance footage of the theft was provided to the officer in the investigation. Wayne Dean Johnson, 40, of Jefferson is accused of theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*.
Monday, Jan. 9: At 11:30 am a complainant reported missing items from her residence in the 500 block of N. Locust St. The items have been missing for up to two weeks. The officer is investigating. At 12:47 pm the Jefferson police department, the Greene County sheriff’s office, ATF agents, FBI agents, the state fire marshal’s office, and the Jefferson fire department executed three search warrants in Jefferson. Officers and agents served the warrants at 900 N. Wilson, 100 E. Perry St, and 203 E. Perry St. The search warrants are part of an investigation started by the Jefferson police department in connection to a Carroll police department case which began in Jefferson on Dec. 27. Defendants in that case are Tyson Ruth, 36, and Joey Godwin, 36, both of Jefferson. Carroll PD was assisted by Jefferson officers and Greene County deputies with the execution of a search warrant at 203 E. Perry St on that day. Items removed as evidence in the three executed search warrants include suspected narcotics, narcotic related items, firearms and related items, and suspected stolen property. The investigation is on-going with anticipated criminal charges in the near future. At 4:30 pm a Jefferson resident reported falling victim to a phone scam. A caller requested personal and banking information to provide the subject an additional 2.5 percent extra on her monthly Social Security payment. The information was given to the caller before the subject realized it was a scam call. The subject is working with her bank to make changes in accounts and monitor credit and bank activity.
Sunday, Jan. 8: At 4:51 am a resident requested assistance at a residence in the 400 block of E. Vest St. The resident was out of town working and received a call from her daughter that someone might be in the residence as the dog was barking. The officer cleared the residence and found no evidence anyone had been there.
Saturday, Jan. 7: A5 2:01 pm a complainant reported the theft of a bicycle from the 100 block of Harding Road. At 2:49 pm a Polk County deputy requested assistance from a JPD officer in locating a vehicle registered to a subject in Jefferson that had been involved in a hit and run accident in Polk County. The officer is still trying to locate the vehicle. At 11:52 pm a resident reported hearing a dog in distress near the 400 block of N. Cedar St. The officer spent time in the neighborhood but did not locate anying.
Friday, Jan. 6: At 6:56 am while on patrol an officer located a female for whom he knew there was a JPD arrest warrant. The officer arrested Jasmine Tranae Fluker, 27, of Jefferson for failure to appear on a charge of credit card fraud*. At 7:59 am a resident reported a fox running in the 500 block of W. State St. At 11:22 am officers were requested at the courthouse for subjects being disruptive during a court hearing. Officers diffused the situation and charges are pending against a male subject involved.
Thursday, Jan. 5: At 12:33 am a complainant requested officers at a residence in the 300 block of S. Grimmell Road for a male who was “freaking out”. The officer arrived and took a report of the theft of stolen prescription medications from a resident at that address. The officer is investigating the event. At 9:24 am staff at Hy-Vee reported receiving a counterfeit $100 bill from a customer at the business. The officer is investigating. At 2:39 pm an officer investigated a property damage accident in the parking lot at 300 American Ave. A 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 owned and operated by Kenneth Wheeler of Jefferson and a 1997 Ford F150 owned and operated by Joey Cummings of Jefferson were legally parked across from each other, both facing west. Both began to leave their parking places at the same time and they collided. Damage to both vehicles was estimated at $500. No citation was issued due to the accident occurring on private property. At 6:58 pm a complainant reported he had been assaulted by his roommate at a residence in the 300 block of S. Grimmell Road the previous day. The officer is investigating the reported assault.
Wednesday, Jan. 4: At 12:48 pm a member of the local clergy contacted an officer and advised of a phone call they had just received. The male caller advised the clergy that he had just committed a sexual assault against a child and now wanted to repent the act. He described the event to the clergy. The male advised the clergy he was “close” to Jefferson. The officer was provided the phone number the male had called from. The officer had the phone provider “ping” the location of the caller. The call came from Virginia. The officer passed the information on to authorities in that jurisdiction. At 3:20 pm an anonymous caller advised of dogs left outside 24 hours a day with frozen water in the dish in the 600 block of W. South St. The officer checked on the animals but the kennel was empty and no one was home at the residence. At 3:54 pm a resident brought a stray cat to the LEC. The officer placed the cat in the animal holding facility. At 7:05 pm staff at Hy-Vee advised that a concerned citizen had confronted a male in the parking lot who had not paid for a bottle of alcohol he removed from the store. The male returned inside and paid for the alcohol before the officer arrived. Hy-Vee did not wish to pursue the matter criminally. At 7:31 pm an officer was requested at a residence in the 600 block of W. Washington St to remove an intoxicated male who refused to leave the residence. The officer was assisted by a deputy with the call. The deputy drove the male to the Carroll County line and a Carroll County deputy took the male to his residence in Carroll. At 11:13 pm officers were advised that an intoxicated male had left the Greene County Medical Center ER to walk home and get a vehicle and drive back to ER to pick up a patient. The officer made contact with the subject at his residence and a sober friend was contacted to pick the subject up from ER.
Tuesday, Jan. 3: At 11:56 am an officer investigated a backing accident in the 100 block of E. Monroe St. Darrin Charlson of Jefferson, was backing in a private drive at 103 E. Monroe St and backed into a utility pole in the right of way. The utility pole broke off at the ground, causing power lines to fall across the street. Alliant Energy was contacted and the pole was replaced. There was no reported damage to Charlson’s 1991 Chevy Silverado 3500. The utility pole replacement was estimated at $1000. Charlson was cited for operation without registration. At 9:05 pm a complainant called and spoke to an officer about being stopped by an unmarked sedan police vehicle in the 300 block of N. Locust St. The resident advised the vehicle had a working spotlight and red/blue grille lights. He said a male, dressed in black and wearing a badge on a necklace approached him and requested his driver’s license. The male advised the driver he had a non-working registration plate light on the rear of his vehicle. The male went to his vehicle momentarily and returned to give the driver his license back. The driver advised he found the situation to be strange and reported it. The Jefferson police department and Greene County sheriff’s office do not have an unmarked vehicle matching this description. Officers were unable to locate the reported vehicle after the report was made. We remind the public that you can pull over in a well-lit area while being stopped. If something seems out of the ordinary with the traffic stop, or you question the authenticity of a law enforcement officer, call 911. Advise the dispatcher of your location with the officer. The dispatcher can verify the authenticity of the stop, or send officers to your location. Any law enforcement officer should identify himself and his department immediately after having contact with you. If requested, they should give you a badge number and name of the authority they represent. The JPD is still investigating this event.
Monday, Jan. 2: At 6:43 am an officer investigated a backing accident in the parking lot at 708 N. Cedar St. Samantha Frost-Busch of Jefferson struck a parked vehicle owned by Leo Brooker of Jefferson while leaving the lot. Damage to Frost-Busch’s 2014 Ford Taurus was estimated at $300. Damage to Brooker’s 2013 Nissan Altima was estimate at $600. Due to the accident occurring outside of the roadway on private property, no citation was issued. At 3:52 pm an officer investigated a hit and run accident reported in the 200 block of W. Adams St. George Byerly of Jefferson, while driving a 2008 Chevrolet Impala owned by Beth Joy, backed into a vehicle while backing in the private drive at 202 W. Adams St. The stationary vehicle was a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu operated by Seth Blumberg of Dayton and owned by Lori Blumberg. Blumberg had left the area after the accident. Both vehicles suffered minor damages in the accident. Blumberg will be cited for driving while suspended and operating without registration. At 9:29 pm a complainant reported the theft of a $50 bill from a residence in the 500 block of N. Chestnut St. The complainant believed a resident of the house may have taken the money.
Sunday, Jan. 1: At 1:53 am an officer performed a traffic stop in the 700 block of N. Grimmell Road which resulted in the arrest of Brandon Michael Silbaugh, 23, of Jefferson for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for failure to dim headlights. At 9:32 am a complainant advised of a loose dog running near the 200 block of W. Washington St. The officer caught the animal and placed it in the animal holding facility.
* All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
