Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Friday, May 31: At 9:14 pm an officer investigated a two-vehicle car-deer accident on Highway 30 at Oakland Ave east of Jefferson. Dacoda Zipse of Harlan was eastbound on Highway 30 driving a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu owned by Misty Preuschal, also of Harlan. Zipse advised he struck a deer in the roadway. The deer flew into the other lane and struck a westbound 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck operated by Brock Louk and owned by Dennis Louk of Jefferson. Damage to Preuschal’s vehicle was estimated at $10,000. Damage to Louk’s pickup truck was estimated at $500. vehicle. The 2005 Chevrolet Silverado was owned by Dennis Louk and operate by Brock Louk both of Jefferson. The Zipse vehicle suffered a reported $10,00 in damages. The Louk vehicle had a reported $500 in damages.
Thursday, May 30: At 8:33 pm officers were called to the area of McKinley and N. Wilson Ave. for an ATV being ridden on the street. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Rodney James Blackmon, 23, of Jefferson for driving while license barred (aggravated misdemeanor)*. During the event, the officers were faced with several subjects unhappy about the arrest of Blackmon. One subject knocked a beverage can off a grill, landing beside the officer’s feet. The officer attempted to arrest the subject and he fled on foot. The sheriff’s office joined in the search for the fleeing male. The subject was not located by the officers. Arrest warrants have been requested for Kole Alexander Higgins, 24, of Scranton for disorderly conduct and interference with official acts (simple misdemeanors)*. As officers were searching for Higgins, a female from the residence was driving her vehicle in the 200 block of E. Lincoln Way. The female parked her vehicle, exited the vehicle and stood in the roadway screaming at officers as they drove past. The officer arrested Kelsy Kay Stringer, 27, of Jefferson for disorderly conduct.* At 9:28 am staff at HyVee reported receiving four personal checks from a subject in the previous 24 hours. The complainant believed the checks may not be honored at the bank. The officer is investigating the event. At 1:35 pm Lance Ross reported as he drove through the mobile home court in the 700 block of N. Cedar St a subject struck his vehicle with a skid loader. An argument ensued and Ross left the scene and contacted police. The officer determined the subject was spreading gravel with the loader and as he backed from a driveway he struck Ross’ vehicle as he drove past. Ross’ 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix sustained an estimated $2,500 in damage. At 1:56 pm staff at White Oak Station reported an overnight theft. A subject had stolen a lighter valued at $3.99 while the clerk was in the restroom. The officer has video of the event and has identified the male subject. Charges will be filed. At 4:23 pm an officer investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident at the intersection of N. Wilson and Clark St. Molly Hughes of Jefferson was eastbound on Clark driving her 2014 Honda CR. Cheyanne Ferguson was northbound on Wilson driving a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina owned by Central Iowa Builders. Hughes did not yield and the vehicles collided. Hughes was cited for failure to yield to the vehicle on the right. Damage to her vehicle was estimated at $3,000. Damage the vehicle Ferguson was driving was estimated at $2,000. At 9:03 pm a male subject spoke to an officer about being blackmailed. He had accepted a friend request on Facebook by an unknown female. She asked him to send a sexual video to her and she would send one back. The male did so and now the female is demanding $500 or the video will be put on the internet. The officer explained the dangers of sending photos or videos to others and explained the JPD can not investigate the event as he does not know who the female is. The officer advised the male not to send the payment and do not have any further contact with the subject online. At 9:23 pm a resident brought to the LEC a stray dog she had located near S. Locust and E. Russell St. The officer placed the dog in the animal holding facility.
Wednesday, May 29: At 9:57 pm a complainant reported she had fallen victim to the Social Security scam call. The caller advised of a debt to the government and instructed the complainant to purchase a pre-paid Visa Card, which she did. She provided the caller the number on the card and her date of birth. She incurred a loss of $500. At 11:14 pm a complainant reported two stray dogs near W. Clark and N. Pinet Sts. The officer located the animals and placed them in the animal holding facility.
Tuesday, May 28: At 11:35 am officers assisted the medical examiner with a death investigation in the 1000 block of W. Adams St. At 11:45 am an officer spoke with a resident in the 700 block of Pinet Place about burning trash in a barrel. The resident was advised only yard waste can be burned in the city limits. The fire was extinguished.
Monday, May 27: At 7:32 pm a complainant reported a possible violation of a no contact order. The officer is investigating.
Sunday, May 26: At 12:08 am an officer performed a traffic stop with a vehicle in the 200 block of N. Oak St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Dalton Lee Weber, 20, of Jefferson for possession of alcohol under age (simple misdemeanor)*. The officer also performed the DOT administrative action of an .02% violation for operating the vehicle.
Saturday, May 25: At 9:48 pm officers were requested at a residence in the 400 block of N. Elm St for a male who had broken into the residence. The officer arrived and located the male inside the residence. The occupants advised they were upstairs in the residence and the male walked into their bedroom after they refused to answer the door he was knocking at. The officer arrested Jacob Mario Lopez, 24, of Jefferson and charged him with trespass (simple misdemeanor)*.
Friday, May 24: At 4:36 am an officer contacted the wastewater department concerning a large pond of water that was not receding in the 500 block of S. Elm St. At 12:25 pm an officer spotted a passenger in a vehicle for whom the officer knew there was an outstanding arrest warrant. The officer arrested Royzell Henderson, 19, of Jefferson on a warrant for providing tobacco/vape products to persons younger than 18 (simple misdemeanor)*.
Thursday, May 23: At 10:15 am a complainant reported the possible theft of mail from a residence in the 300 block of N. Cedar St.
Wednesday, May 22: At 8:44 am an officer investigated a two-vehicle personal injury accident at W. Clark and N. Maple Sts. Sherry Demello of Jefferson was southbound on Maple driving her 1997 Toyota Rav 4. Luann Walsh of Carroll was eastbound on Clark driving her 2015 Jeep Cherokee. Demello failed to yield at the uncontrolled intersection and Walsh’s vehicle struck hers. Demello was transported to the Greene County Medical Center by Greene County Ambulance with possible injuries. She was cited for failure to yield to the vehicle on the right. Damage to Demello’s vehicle was estimated at $5,000. Damage to Walsh’s vehicle was estimated at $4,000. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. At 10:50 am staff at Greene County High School requested an officer for a student who appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. The officer met with the male juvenile, who eventually admitted he had left school and smoked marijuana before returning. The officer searched the student’s locker and vehicle but nothing illegal was located. The student refused to cooperate with officers and advise where he had smoked the substance. At 2:29 p a caller advised of grass clippings blown into the street near N. Pinet and W. Clark Sts. The officer is working to determine who had mowed the area and advise them of the ordinance prohibiting grass being blown into the street. At 6:37 pm an officer performed a traffic stop with a vehicle in the 600 block of E. Lincoln Way with a male subject for whom there was an active arrest warrant. Jason William Sheldahl, 47, of Jefferson was arrested on the warrant for domestic abuse assault- second offense (aggravated misdemeanor)*.
Tuesday, May 21: At 8:46 am staff at Home State Bank turned in a possible counterfeit $100 bill. The bill came from a deposit from a local business. Between 6:49 and 8:16 pm residents reported downed trees and branches in the 100 block and 200 blocks of W. Madison St and the 500 block of S. Elm St. A tree branch was reported on powerlines in the alley of the 600 block of S. Chestnut St and in the 600 block of S. Vine St. The branch on the line on S. Vine St caused a small fire. Alliant Energy was contacted in both situations.
At 10:34 pm a complainant requested an officer at a residence in the 500 block of E. Lincoln Way for a domestic assault. The officer spoke with the complainant and found injuries consistent with her account. The officer was unable to locate the male part. The officer applied for an arrest warrant for Jason William Sheldahl, 48, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault- second offense (aggravated misdemeanor)*.
Monday, May 20: Routine activity reported.
Sunday, May 19: At 12:33 am an officer performed a traffic stop with a speeding driver in the 1800 block of N. Elm St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of James Michael Gorman, 50, of New York for operating while intoxicated- first offense and possession of marijuana (both serious misdemeanors) and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)* He was also cited for speed and failure to provide proof of financial liability. At 4:50 pm an officer performed a traffic stop in the 1900 block of N. Elm St. During the stop, the driver provided the officer with a false name and date of birth. When confronted with this by the officer the male provided his true identity. The officer learned there was an outstanding Webster County arrest warrant for the male for theft- fourth degree. The officer arrested Tony J. Scalf, 45, of Nebraska for providing false identification (simple misdemeanor)*. The officer also cited him for driving while suspended and improper rear lamps. Scalf was to be transported to Webster County after leaving the Greene County jail. At 7:03 pm staff at Sparky’s One Stop reported the theft of a CB radio speaker. The business provided the officer with a female suspect. The investigation continues. At 9 pm a complainant reported criminal mischief to a window at a residence in the 900 block of W. Adams St. The officer believes the window and screened were damaged by a BB gun. The damage estimate was $250 to replace the glass and screen. At 9:08 pm a complainant reported the theft of prescription medication from an apartment at 1000 W. Adams St. The complainant could not provide the number of missing items and advised she last saw them two months ago.
Saturday, May 18: At 11:47 am a complainant reported a vehicle parked at the city’s gravel pile in the 900 block of N. Cedar St. He advised a male was loading gravel into his vehicle. The officer located the subject, who was an employee of the city of Jefferson and learned the gravel was being used in a city alley to fill a pothole. At 9:56 pm an officer performed a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1400 block of N. Elm St. The officer learned there was an outstanding Emmet County arrest warrant for the driver and placed Kristina Marie Jordan, 28, of Estherville in custody for failure to appear on a parking ticket.
Friday, May 17: At 2:45 pm an officer attempted to stop a driver not wearing his seat belt near Lincoln Way and Cedar St. The driver did not stop until he pulled into the drive of a residence in the 500 block of E. Clark St. The male driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The officer gave a short foot chase and caught up to the male in the 600 block of N. Cedar Street. The officer arrested Christopher Herbert Lawrence, 39, of Jefferson for interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for failure to wear safety belt. At 3:45 pm officers were requested at a Genesis group home in the 100 block of Lincoln Place for a reported assault. The officer learned a client had thrown a cell phone at a staff member and struck her with it. The officer arrested James Christopher Tornabane-Vanderpool, 21, of Jefferson on a charge of assault-simple*.
Thursday, May 16: At 11:19 am an officer assisted the sheriff’s office with a rollover Accident at Orion and 243rd St in Grant Township.
Wednesday, May 15: At 9:30 am an officer began an investigation into a criminal mischief of a vehicle while in the shop at the Greene County High School. At 7:40 pm staff at Sparky’s One Stop reported a suspicious male walking around in the area of the business in his underwear. The officer located the male subject, who was a truck driver walking during a driving break. He was wearing shorts and no shirt.
Tuesday, May 14: At 3:37 pm an officer investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident in the 200 block of W. Clark St. Jeanine Eggert of Grand Junction was westbound on Clark St. She had stopped her 1997 Ford F150 pickup truck at the posted sign at the intersection with Elm. As she waited to enter onto Elm, her vehicle was struck from the rear by James Ball of Jefferson, who was driving a 2015 Chevrolet K2500 owned by Wild Rose Leasing Co of West Des Moines. Ball had pulled onto Clark from the Bomgaars drive. Ball was cited for failure to stop in assured clear distance ahead. Damage to the pickup he was driving was estimated at $1,000. Damage to Eggert’s vehicle was estimated at $500. At 4:24 pm staff at the Jefferson post office requested officers to assist a juvenile, whose bookbag had been thrown on a rooftop at 119 W. Lincoln Way. The officers used a ladder from the post office to climb on the roof to retrieve the bag for the youngster
Monday, May 13: At 3;23 pm staff at Greene County Middle School reported finding a male juvenile in possession of vaping products. The officer spoke to the male and a parent and learned he had purchased the items from another student. Charges are pending the end of the investigation.
Sunday, May 12: Routine activity reported.
Saturday, May 11: Routine activity reported.
Friday, May 10: At 9:39 am A motorist advised the officer of a possible intoxicated subject walking near the bell tower. The officer made contact with the male in the vicinity of the bell tower and spoke with him. The male was not intoxicated, but did have an outstanding Greene County arrest warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of theft- fourth degree*. The officer arrested Richard Lee Norton Jr, 39, of Panora on the warrants and transported him to the jail. At 8:20 pm a complainant requested an officer check a suspicious male walking around the Jefferson Little League complex. The officer spoke with the male, who was looking for his keys he had lost in the area. At 8:57 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 100 block of E. Madison St. A 1995 Ford Escort owned by David Goin of Jefferson was parked on the street. A vehicle backed into Goin’s vehicle and left the area. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $200. The driver spoke to witnesses and later located the other vehicle involved in the accident at a residence in the 400 block of S. Georgia St. The officer spoke to the owner, who advised he was the driver involved. The 1998 Chevrolet C2500, owned and operated by Nathan Merrill of Jefferson, was undamaged. The officer has requested an arrest warrant for Merrill for driving while license revoked (serious misdemeanor) and operating without required interlock device (simple misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. At 9:30 pm an officer assisted the Jefferson fire department at HyVee after an evacuation of the building due to smoke. The fire department could not find the source of the smoke and did not locate any fire.
Thursday, May 9: Routine activity reported.
Wednesday, May 8: At 8:06 am a resident advised she had captured a stray dog at the Greenewood Center in the 400 block of Greenewood Road. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.
Tuesday, May 7: *****Several arrest warrants have been requested after an officer received lab test results on items seized during a search warrant executed on 3/03 at a residence in the 300 block of E. State St. Warrants have been requested for Roger Allen Burnie, 33, of Jefferson for child endangerment- aggravated (three counts), possession of marijuana- second offense, possession of methamphetamine- second offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Warrants have also been requested for Amelia Marie Kennedy, 34, of Jefferson for child endangerment- aggravated (three counts), possession of marijuana- first offense, possession of methamphetamine- first offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Monday, May 6: At 8:03 am an officer began investigating the theft of a wedding ring from a residence in the 200 block of E. Lincoln Way. The theft occurred in March. At 3:54 pm a traffic stop in the 500 block of N. Chestnut St resulted in the arrest of Danielle Hermansen, 30, of Jefferson for driving while license revoked*.
Sunday, May 5: At 1:06 pm an officer assisted the Jefferson fire department with a call at a residence in the 500 block of W. State St. The occupant could see and smell a small amount of smoke in the basement of the residence. The fire department determined it was caused by an overloaded drop cord. No damage was reported.
Saturday, May 4: At 12:12 pm a complainant reported a bicycle lost or stolen from the public library. At 2 pm officers provided an escort in and out of Jefferson for the Fallen Angels motorcycle rally held on the downtown square. At 3:26 pm An officer investigated a two-vehicle personal injury accident at N. Elm and W. Clark Sts. Steven Lind, who was operating a 2010 Ford F350 pickup truck, owned by Lind Hilltop Farm Inc. of Marathon, left the posted stop sign in the 200 block of W. Clark St and turned south onto Elm. Tanner Lindamark of Stratford was northbound on Elm operating his 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle. He struck a trailer being pulled by the Lind vehicle. Lindamark was transported by GC Ambulance to Greene County Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. His motorcycle was a total loss with an estimated $10,000 in damage. Lind was cited for failure to obey a stop sign. Damage to the trailer he was towing was estimated at $1,000. At 10:14 pm an officer performed a traffic stop with a driver who had squeaked the tires on his vehicle upon leaving the traffic lights at S. Elm and W. Russell Sts. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Merle Crit Holland, 57, of Des Moines for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for careless driving and open container of alcohol in a vehicle.
Friday, May 3: Routine activity reported.
Thursday, May 2: At 8:16 pm congregate meal staff advised of a stray dog near the Greenewood Center. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.
Wednesday, May 1: At 6:45 am a complainant reported lost/stolen items from two Jefferson residences. The officer is investigating. At 2:51 pm staff at Home State Bank provided an officer with a counterfeit $10 bill a customer had brought to the bank. The officer is investigating the event. At 9:39 pm a complainant reported being assaulted by a known male in the 900 block of W. Lincoln Way. The officer is investigating. At 9:45 pm a complainant spoke to an office about drug usage at a Jefferson residence. She wanted to provide the officer with photographs to support her claims.
*Note: All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
