Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Wednesday, Feb. 28: At 9:29 am a complainant reported her vehicle being struck while parked at 207 W. Gallup Rd. The 2007 Ford Taurus had a reported $3,000 in damages to the driver’s side. The officer is investigating.
Tuesday, Feb. 27: At 9:09 am a complainant reported an unauthorized use of a credit card. An officer is investigating. At 10:05 am a resident reported an IRS phone scam. At 4:14 pm John Martinez, 23, was arrested on an outstanding Calhoun County arrest warrant for failure to appear on original charges of carrying weapons and possession of a controlled substance*. At 5 pm a complainant reported criminal mischief to the hood of a vehicle at Greene County High School. The officer is investigating. At 7:08 pm an officer responded to 701 N. Elm St for a possible burglary.
Monday, Feb. 26: At 7:18 am officers executed a search warrant at 206 N. Oak St. The search warrant was related to an ongoing burglary investigation. At 4:24 pm an officer responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of S. Locust and E. Harrison Sts. Rachel Smith of Jefferson was westbound on E. Harrison driving her 2011 Dodge Caravan. Jason Cerveny of Jefferson was southbound on S. Locust driving his 1997 Ford Taurus. Their vehicles collided in the uncontrolled intersection. Cerveny was cited for failure to yield to the vehicle on the right. Damage to his vehicle was estimated at $2,000. Damage to Smith’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000. At 8:08 pm a driver reported the driver’s side window of her vehicle was struck by an unknown object and shattered as she was driving at the intersection of W. Washington and N. Oak Sts.
Sunday, Feb. 25: At 6:42 am a complainant reported an overnight burglary to his vehicle parked in the 500 block of E. Garfield St. Tools and coins were removed from the vehicle. The officer is investigating. At 6:02 pm Mike Sorber reported returning to his vehicle in the parking lot at Hy-Vee and finding new damage on the driver’s side door. Damage to the 2011 Ford Taurus was estimated at $1,000. The officer is working with the business to attempt to identify the other driver in surveillance video. At 11:24 pm officers were requested at a residence in the 300 block of E. Lincoln Way for a reported assault. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Christian James Steburg, 47, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault/impeding air flow (aggravated misdemeanor)*.
Saturday, Feb. 24: At 9:31 staff at Casey’s General Store advised of a small fuel spill. The Jefferson fire department was dispatched to clean up the fuel. At 9:27 pm an officer was requested at a residence in the 400 block of N. Chestnut St for a reported domestic assault occurring there. The officer’s investigation resulted in requesting an arrest warrant for Beth Anne Laurent, 47, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault- serious*. At 10:51 pm an officer arrested Rodney James Blackmon, 22, of Jefferson during a traffic stop. There was an outstanding Greene County warrant for Blackmon on a charge of possession of marijuana*.
Friday, Feb. 23: At 9:11 am an officer arrested Bruce Erik Johnson, 55, of Jefferson on an outstanding Carroll County arrest warrant for operating while intoxicated- third or subsequent offense*. At 10:58 am an officer investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident at the intersection of E. Reed and N. Olive Sts. Benito Ortiz of Grand Junction was eastbound on Reed St driving a 1995 Ford F250 pickup truck owned by Sloan Plumbing. Jessica Haskins of State Center was northbound on Olive St driving a 2005 Dodge Caravan. Their vehicles collided in the intersection. Neither driver wanted an accident report filed as no damage was caused to the vehicles. Ortiz was cited for driving while suspended. At 11:41 pm an officer observed a vehicle fail to stop as posted at the intersection of W. Lincoln Way and Elm St. The officer performed a traffic stop that led to the arrest of Tamera Sue Keck, 53, of Jefferson for OWI-first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for failure to obey a stop sign.
Thursday, Feb. 22: At 10:11 pm a complainant reported a possible burglary at a residence in the 200 block of N. Oak St. An officer is investigating.
Wednesday, Feb. 21: At 12:51 pm a caller advised of a dog in the ditch near Mulberry and E. Russell Sts. The officer located the animal and contacted the owner, who had been looking for the animal for a few days. At 1:55 pm officers investigated a two-vehicle personal injury accident at the intersection of N. Elm and W. Washington Sts. Cassie Baugh of Jefferson was northbound on Elm driving her 1999 GMC K1500. She stopped to turn west onto Washington and was struck from behind by a 1999 Ford Ranger, operated by Kyle Hack of Guthrie Center and owned by Carolyn Guttenfelder. Baugh’s vehicle spun 180 degrees and came to rest facing south in the southbound lanes. A passenger (name not provided) in her vehicle was transported with possible injuries to to Greene County Medical Center by Greene County Emergency Medical Services. Hack was cited for failure to maintain control. Damage the pickup truck he was driving was estimated at $2,000, exceeding value. Damage to Baugh’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000. At 5:03 pm employees at Casa de Oro advised they had fallen victim to a scam phone call. A caller advised he worked with Alliant Energy and the business had not paid the last utility bill. They advised they were going to shut power off to the business within the hour if the overdue bill was not paid. They were instructed to go to Dollar General and purchase Money Pak cards to settle the account. The caller would not accept a credit card payment from the business and demanded the Money Pak cards. The cards were purchased and the numbers on the cards were provided to the caller. The business reported a loss of $1142.14. The crime is not traceable by the officer. At 7:41 pm an officer was called to a residence in the 100 block of Lincoln Place for a reported assault. The officer learned a client at the residential facility had damaged property and assaulted a staff member. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of James Christopher Tornbane-Vanderpool, 20, of Jefferson for assault, harassment, and criminal mischief- fifth degree (all simple misdemeanors)*. At 9:26 pm an officer was requested at a residence in the 100 block of E. Central Ave for a reported domestic assault occurring there. The officer’s investigation led to a request for arrest warrants for the male party involved, who had fled before the officer arrived. The warrant is for Jody Lyn Schad, 42, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault- serious.
Tuesday, Feb. 20: Routine activity reported.
Monday, Feb. 19: At 12:05 pm a complainant reported a burglary to a shed in the 200 block of E. Perry St. The complainant was unsure if items were missing inside the shed. The officer is investigating.
Sunday, Feb. 18: At 9:37 am a complainant reported following a possible intoxicated driver on Highway 30 eastbound towards Jefferson. The officer located the vehicle and performed a traffic stop in the 400 block of E. Monroe St. Jackie D. Cram, 23, of Jefferson was arrested for driving while barred.*
Saturday, Feb. 17: At 3:40 pm an officer arrested Paul Nelson, 43, of Jefferson on an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to serve time on a charge of disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)*. At 6:57 pm an officer arrested Rodney Blackmon, 22, of Jefferson on an outstanding Greene County arrest warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of possession of drug paraphernalia*.
Friday, Feb. 16: At 4:46 am officers responded to a 911 hang up at Wild Rose Casino. All was fine there and no one had called for assistance. At 5:54 pm an officer started an investigation of a reported sex assault that occurred in Jefferson on 1/10.
Thursday, Feb. 15: At 12:35 am staff at Hy-Vee reported a vehicle in their parking lot that was running a period of time with no one around it. The officer attempted to contact the registered owner, but was unable to do so. The officer secured the vehicle after shutting it off. The keys were brought to the LEC. At about 12:42 am a complainant reported his vehicle missing from a residence in the 200 block of W. Adams St. He was purchasing the vehicle from the registered owner the officer was attempting to contact. The officer released the vehicle to the complainant. The officer will be working with Hy-Vee to view video to continue the investigation. At 8:27 am staff at Bunker’s Dunkers reported a bike in the alley there for several days.
Wednesday, Feb. 12: At 1:45 pm a resident reported catching two stray kittens in the 1600 block of N. Elm St. The officer placed them in the animal holding facility. At 3:05 pm an officer was requested to assist DHS with a home visit in the 600 block of W. Adams St.
Tuesday, Feb. 13: At 8:05 am an officer investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident in the 500 block of N. Elm St. Mia Cummings was northbound. When the vehicle she was following stopped to turn left into the parking at Casey’s General Store, Cummings struck the rear of the vehicle. Cummings was cited for failure to maintain control. Damage to the lead vehicle, a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix owned and driven by Zachary Wiggins of Jefferson, was estimated at $500. Damage to the vehicle Cummings was driving, a 2007 Jeep Commander owned by Chad Cummings, was also estimated at $500. ***** During an arrest in the 800 block of W. Monroe St on 1/29, suspected narcotic items were seized for lab testing. Positive lab results are back on the items and the officer has requested arrest warrants for Zachary Allen Waters, 21, of Jefferson for possession of marijuana- first offense (serious misdemeanor) and possess of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*.
Monday, Feb. 12: At 5:42 am a caller advised of a vehicle on fire at the Greene County Middle School. The officer arrived and made contact with a delivery driver who advised his rear brakes had locked up on his semi-trailer, causing the fire. The driver was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher before the officer’s arrival. The driver had made arrangements with his company to remove the trailer from the area. At 7:59 am an officer investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident at W. Monroe and S. Vine Sts. Reanna Halterman of Jefferson was westbound on Monroe St driving her 2011 Honda Accord. Halterman did not yield to a southbound vehicle on Vine St and struck the left rear. That vehicle was a 2001 Chevrolet Traverse owned and driven by Karen Shannon of Jefferson. Halterman was cited for failure to yield to the vehicle on the right. Damage to both vehicles was estimated at $500. At 9:46 am a complainant reported a stray dog in the area of S. Elm and W. Russell Sts. The officer checked the area, but did not locate the animal. At 10:22 pm staff at Casey’s reported a possible intoxicated driver leaving the store. The vehicle was reported to travel north of Elm St. The officer did not locate the vehicle.
Sunday, Feb. 11: At 1:53 am an officer responded to Wild Rose Casino for a loose dog. At 12:09 pm staff at Cobblestone Hotel spoke with an officer. They had reported a strong odor of marijuana coming from a room on the third floor of the hotel. Officers walked by the room and could smell the odor originating from Room 317. Officers executed a search warrant at 3 pm. Officers could smell marijuana, but nothing illegal was located in the room. At 9:21 pm a complainant reported a theft of clothing.
Saturday, Feb. 10: At 4:35 am an officer responded to a residence in the 800 block of W. Lincoln Way for a burglary to a vehicle and garage. The officer is investigating. At 4:43 pm as a result of a traffic stop in the 100 block of W. Clark St, James Harris of Jefferson was cited for driving while license suspended. There were also outstanding Greene County arrest warrants for domestic abuse assault and violation of a no contact order. Brittany Smith, also of Jefferson, was in the vehicle with him. There is a no contact order in place between Harris and Smith. Brittany Smith, 30, and James Harris, 30, were both additionally charged with violation of a no contact order.* Both were transported to the Greene County law enforcement center. At 6:35 pm Justin Lopez was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of N. Pinet St on an outstanding Greene County arrest warrant for failure to appear.
Friday, Feb. 9: At 1:55 pm officers responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of N. High and W. Washington Sts. Freddie German of Jefferson was westbound on Washington St driving his 2012 Chevy Equinox. He attempted to turn into a driveway in the 800 block. Nicole Murphy of Rippey was following German in her 2004 Volkswagen Passat and attempted to pass him as he began slowing down to make his turn. Murphy struck German’s car on the front driver’s door, causing $4,000 in damage to his car and $1,500 to her own. Murphy was issued a citation for unsafe passing.
Thursday, Feb. 8: At 12:36 pm officers investigated a two-vehicle personal injury accident at N. Elm St and Central Ave. Esther Knapp of Jefferson was eastbound on Central Ave driving a 2010 Ford Escape. She left the posted stop sign on Central Ave in front of a southbound 2014 Hyundai Elantra owned and operated by Haven Van Huesen of Farnhamville. The vehicles collided and came to rest on the southwest corner of the intersection. Van Huesen hit and destroyed a fire hydrant as his vehicle left the roadway. Knapp was cited for failure to obey a stop sign. Damage to her car was estimated at $3,000. Damage to Van Huesen’s vehicle was estimated at $5,000. Damage to the fire hydrant was estimated at $1,200. At 3:32 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 300 block of S. Vine St. Pamela Thomsen of Jefferson attempted to back her 2014 Buick Enclave from a parking space on the west side of the street but struck an approaching 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche owned and operated by Christine Durlam of Jefferson. Thomsen was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. Damage to both vehicles was estimated at $300.
Wednesday, Feb. 7: At 4:22 pm an officer investigated a two vehicle property damage accident at N. Maple and W. Adams Sts. Mitchell Stevens of Ralston was southbound on Maple St. Harold Snedeker of Waukee was eastbound on Adams St. Stevens did not yield at the intersection and the two vehicles collided. Stevens was cited for failure to yield to the vehicle on the right. Damage to his 2003 Ford F150 pickup truck was estimated at $1,500. Damage to Snedeker’s 2014 GMC Sierra was also estimated at $1,500.
Tuesday, Feb. 6: At 7:53 am an officer investigated a two vehicle property damage accident at Highways 4 and 30. Benjamin Barron of Jefferson was westbound on Highway 30. He stopped as posted and turned south onto Highway 4 (Elm St). Nile Dockter of Carroll was eastbound on Highway 30. He was unable to stop, but slid through the intersection and struck Barron’s vehicle. Dockter was cited for failure to maintain control. Damage to his 2004 Ford F150 pickup truck was estimated at $3,000. Damage to Barron’s 1997 Jeep Cherokee was estimated at $2,000. At 8:43 am an officer initiated an investigation of a burglary at Trinity Lutheran Church. Subjects entered the building, forced open office doors, and removed computer items valued at approximately $2,300. The investigation continues. At 9:03 am an officer was requested at a residence in the 500 block of S. Walnut St for a reported assault. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Veronica Laine Ellsbury, 33, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault (simple misdemeanor)*. At 9:27 am a mother reported her juvenile son had been assaulted at the Webb House on 2/04. The officer is investigating.
Monday, Feb. 5: At 10:24 am officers assisted the sheriff’s office by directing traffic at an accident in the 2000 block of Highway 4. **** Officers issued four snow emergency parking citations.
Sunday, Feb. 4: At 9:15 am an officer assisted the Perry PD by providing information on a suspect in a theft in Perry on 1/04. **** An officer completed an investigation that began 12/23/17 of a vehicle in the ditch on Highway 30 near M Ave west of Jefferson. Test results are back and warrants have been requested for John Edward Walker, 66, of Guthrie Center for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor), possession of marijuana- first offense (serious misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. ***** Test results are back on items seized during a traffic stop on 11/26/17. Arrest warrants have been requested for Michael Ivan Venteicher, 60, of Jefferson for possession of methamphetamine- first offense (serious misdemeanor), possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor) and obstructing prosecution (aggravated misdemeanor)*.
Saturday, Feb. 3: At 6:13 am a caller advised of a large pool of water standing at N. Wilson and Central Ave. The officer contacted the water department for the potential water main break. At 8:57 pm an officer placed two dogs in the animal holding facility that were dropped off at the LEC. The dogs had been picked up near Scranton.
Friday, Feb. 2: Routine activity reported.
Thursday, Feb. 1: At 10:30 am a complainant reported her son had been assaulted by another student at Greene County Elementary. The officer is investigating. At 1:47 pm a Department of Human Services worker reported a sex abuse reported to DHS that had occurred in Jefferson five years ago. The officer is gathering information to begin an investigation.
*Note: All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
