Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Saturday, Nov. 30: Routine activity reported.
Friday, Nov. 29: At 12:32 am after receiving information during a traffic stop, officers applied for and executed a narcotics search warrant at 307 W. Lincoln Way, Apt. 3. The officers believe the informant tipped off the residents after providing the officers the information, as nothing illegal was located in the apartment during the search.
At 1:15 am an officer performed a traffic stop at Highway 30 and Doreen Wilber Dr. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Annette Renee Bohl, 60, of Adel for driving while license revoked (serious misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for driving while license suspended and operation without registration. At 11:54 pm during a traffic stop in the 1500 block of N. Grimmell Rd, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a probable cause search, the officer located suspected
Thursday, Nov. 28: At 10:14 am Diane Gibson reported a vehicle had struck and damaged her fence at 1001 N. Wilson Ave and left the area. The officer estimated damages to fence at $300. The officer gathered pieces left behind at the scene from the vehicle. The officer later located a vehicle parked at a residence in the 600 block of W. Adams St with damage consistent with the accident. He spoke to a subject at the residence, who ultimately advised he had struck the fence with his vehicle. Zachary Smith of Jefferson was cited for careless driving and fail to maintain control. At 7:06 pm a resident reported an abandoned bicycle in her yard in the 400 block of N. Wilson. The officer placed the bike in impound. At 8:41 pm an officer performed a traffic stop with a vehicle at Mulberry St and Highway 30. During the stop, officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During a probable cause search, the officers located numerous bags of suspected marijuana and marijuana wax. The male subject provided officers information as to where he had just purchased the items. The items were seized for lab testing and future charges are pending lab results.
Wednesday, Nov. 27: At 9:10 pm officers were called to a residence in the 300 block of N. Chestnut St for a reported assault having occurred there. The officers arrived and spoke to three subjects who had been involved in the incident. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Justin Joe Downs, 34, of Churdan for domestic abuse assault (simple misdemeanor), burglary- second degree (Class C felony) and false imprisonment (serious misdemeanor)*.
Tuesday, Nov. 26: At 1:49 am a complainant reported a trespasser and possible criminal mischief at rental property in the 100 block of S. Maple St. The officer is investigating the report.
Monday, Nov. 25: At 10:41 am staff at HyVee reported a subject had written nine checks, totaling $1,330, that were returned by the financial institution. The officer is investigating. At 2:55 pm the Jefferson fire department assisted city workers with a fire in the leaf pile at the dump site at Daubendiek Park.
Sunday, Nov 24: At 2:30 am an officer performed a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle on Highway 30 near Doreen Wilber Drive. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Michael York Jones, 22, of Castana for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for excessive speed and failure to display driver’s license. At 12:21 pm a subject brought to the LEC a stray dog he had caught in the 300 block of S. Grimmell Rd. The officer placed the dog in the animal holding facility. At 8:25 pm a complainant brought to the LEC a stray dog he had caught in the 100 block of W. Lincoln Way. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.
Saturday, Nov. 23: At 11:25 am an officer investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident at the Hy-Vee parking lot. Cindy Danielson released the parking brake in her 2006 Buick Lucerne, causing the vehicle to roll forward. Danielson’s vehicle made light contact with a parked vehicle ahead of hers. The 2012 Ford Escape was owned by Jolene Welder of Bagley. The Welder vehicle suffered a reported $500 in damage, while Danielson’s vehicle had a reported $100 in damages. At 11:25 am staff at Cobblestone Hotel reported a subject had an extended stay at the hotel but left without paying for the services. He owed $1,068 when he left the motel without paying. The officer is investigating. At 2:36 pm a subject brought to the LEC a stray dog he had caught near Fareway. The officer placed the dog in the animal holding facility. At 2:45 pm a complainant reported someone had broken into her rental property in the 700 block of N. Cedar St and removed items from the garage. The officer is investigating. At 10:56 pm an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 900 block of N. Wilson Ave with a vehicle with a dark rear plate and no third brake light. During the stop, the officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, the officers located two smoking devices and seized them for testing. Charges are pending lab results on the items. The driver was cited for operation without registration.
Friday, Nov. 22: At 4:20 pm An officer investigated a backing accident at N. Elm and W. Central Ave. Sylvia Kunce of Jefferson was westbound on Central Ave. She stopped her 2017 Jeep Cherokee behind a semi and grain trailer on Central Ave at the posted stop sign at N. Elm St. The semi began to back up and the trailer made slight contact with her vehicle, causing approximately $500 in damages. The semi left the area. The officer has reviewed video from the area and has identified the owner of the semi. He is working to speak to the owner.
Thursday, Nov. 21: At 6:59 am a complainant reported a male along the road on Highway 30 near M Ave west of Jefferson. The male was waving his arms at traffic in the area. The officer spoke to the male and learned he was setting up to flag traffic in the area for road work. At 10:20 am an officer located a dog running loose in the 200 block of W. State St. The dog was placed in the animal holding facility.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: At 5:37 pm officers and arrested Austin Taylor O’Connell on outstanding Jefferson PD arrest warrants for possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of prescription drug (serious misdemeanors) and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. The charges stem from a fire at his residence on 10/30. During the event, Jefferson firefighters located the items in the bathroom and advised officers. The items were seized and sent to the lab for testing
Tuesday, Nov. 19: At 9:42 am a caller advised of a male open-handed spanking a young child at Casey’s General Store. The officer did not locate the subjects at the store but is investigating the reported event. At 1:44 pm staff at Casey’s General Store reported two subjects writing checks at the business over the past few days from closed accounts or accounts with no funds in them. The officer is gathering information and investigating. At 5:22 pm officers investigated a two-vehicle property damage accident at the intersection of N. Locust and E. Washington Sts. Hasan Sadikovic of Des Moines was southbound on Locust driving his 2000 Ford F150 pickup truck. Ricky Knight of Jefferson was eastbound on Washington driving his 2008 Volkswagen Toureg. Sadikovic failed to yield at the intersection and the vehicles collided. He was cited for failure to obey a yield sign. Damage to his pickup truck was estimated at $1,000. Damage to Knight’s vehicle was estimated at $5,000. At 7:48 pm officers were advised of a strong odor of natural gas in the 100 block of Ram Drive. Alliant Energy was contacted to check the area.
Monday, Nov. 18: At 1:49 pm officers were assisted by a deputy the arrest of Marcus Larry Lamarr Cannon, 29, of Jefferson on an active Greene County arrest warrant for a probation violation* on an original charge of felony domestic abuse assault. At 2:24 pm a resident reported receiving a scam email. He was advised in the email that he was selected to receive a grant he had applied for. (He had not applied for one.) He was instructed to pay $1,000 in taxes, as the IRS was holding up his $200,000 grant until the taxes were paid. He did not suffer a loss and provided no information. At 4:49 pm staff at HyVee reported a group of subjects standing under the store awning possibly smoking narcotics. Officers arrived in the area and did not locate the subjects. The store is reviewing camera footage at this time for the officers.
Sunday, Nov. 17: At 10:12 am a complainant reported two dogs running freely again in the 400 block of N. Olive St. The officer located the animals and placed them in the animal holding facility. At 11:15 am a complainant reported a possible violation of a protective order in the 500 block of N. Grimmell Rd. The officer is investigating. At 9:50 pm a complainant spoke with an officer about a possible harassment issue. The officer is investigating.
Saturday, Nov. 16: At 5:19 pm officers were called to a residence in the 400 block of N. Wilson Ave for an assault in progress. The officer arrived and spoke to the subjects involved. Richard Dean Tuhn, 41, of Jefferson was arrested for burglary- first degree (Class B felony) and assault causing bodily injury (serious misdemeanor)*.
Friday, Nov. 15: At 4:06 pm a deputy requested assistance from officers in attempting to locate a structure fire reported by a pilot. He advised it was five miles north of Jefferson. At 9:02 pm an officer performed a traffic stop of a speeding vehicle in the 800 block of E. Lincoln Way. During the stop, the officer saw a handgun behind the center console. The officer found the firearm to have a fully loaded magazine. One 15- and one 16-year-old male juvenile were placed in custody for carrying weapons (aggravated misdemeanor)*. At 9:53 pm an officer investigated a car-deer accident at Highway 30 and Oakland Ave east of Jefferson. Austin Taylor of Jefferson was westbound driving his 2014 Chrysler Town and Country van when he struck the deer in the roadway. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $2,500.
Thursday, Nov. 14: *****Arrest warrants have been requested by an officer after receiving lab results on items seized during a traffic stop on 11/02. The warrants are for Katie Capri Schafer of West Des Moines for possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor)*.
Wednesday, Nov. 14: At 10:38 am a complainant reported someone had stolen her Social Security number and mail from a residence in the 400 block of W. Head St. The officer is investigating. At 7:21 pm an officer performed a traffic stop on County Road E-53 (230th St) near S Ave east of Jefferson. The traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Joseph Xavier Lay, 45, of Boone for driving while license revoked (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for operation without registration and failure to provide proof of financial liability. At 7:55 pm the dispatcher received a 911 call from a lost male. He did not know his location on Highway 30 but advised he was near cows. The officer checked and did not locate the male within the city limits. At 8:42 pm a caller advised of a female walking on Highway 30 near N. Mulberry St. The officers made contact with the walking female. She advised she had left her boyfriend’s residence, where she had been staying. She advised of an order of protection between the two and admitted they had been violating the order at a residence in Jefferson. Officers spoke to the male, who advised the same information. Officers arrested Jeremy Dale Eberle, 30, of Jefferson and Elizabeth Celine Fischels, 31, of Webster City for violation of protective order (simple misdemeanor)*.
Tuesday, Nov. 12: At 5:25 pm Denise Promes advised she had struck a deer in the 1100 block of Westwood Drive. The deer ran from the scene. Damage to her 2019 Chevrolet Equinox was estimated at $1,000. At 5:54 pm Cara Reedy advised she had struck a deer with her vehicle in the 700 block of S. Chestnut St. She left the scene and advised there was no damage to her vehicle.
Monday, Nov. 11: At 3:35 am a complainant reported a suspicious male in a vehicle parked in the 300 block of N. Pinet St. The officer made contact with the male, who advised he was living in his vehicle. He left the area after speaking to the officer. At 7:51 pm a complainant reported the theft of prescription medications from a residence in the 100 block of Central Ave. ***** Officers issued 13 citations for snow emergency parking violations.
Sunday, Nov. 10: At 12:55 am an officer performed a traffic stop with a speeding vehicle near Elm and W. Lincoln Way. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Kaleb Lee Lentz, 25, of Scranton for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for open container/driver and speed.
Saturday, Nov. 9: At 6:55 pm officers arrested Thomas Alexander Oyres, 40, of Jefferson on outstanding Jefferson PD warrants for possession of methamphetamine- first offense (serious misdemeanor) and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. The charges stem from an investigation initiated 6/12.
Friday, Nov. 8: At 6:45 am officers were assisted by the sheriff’s office and Greene County Ambulance with a personal injury accident at Highway 30 and Grimmell Road. A 1995 Chevrolet Camaro, owned and operated by Keaton Hetland of Jewell was westbound on Highway 30 driving his 1995 Chevrolet Camaro. He stopped at the intersection of Grimmell Road to wait for oncoming traffic before making a left turn onto Grimmell. Spencer Kirk of Grand Junction was westbound driving his 2014 Ford Taurus and following Hetland. Kirk struck the rear of Hetland’s vehicle. Both drivers were checked by ambulance personnel and refused transport. Kirk was cited for failure to stop in assured clear distance ahead. Damage to both vehicles was estimated to exceed value; the vehicles were towed from the scene. At 8:53 pm a Greene County Schools bus driver reported a school bus violation that occurred near S. Vine and W. Madison St. The officer’s investigation led to citing Amanda Eritt of Jefferson for unlawful passing of school bus. At 1:06 pm staff at Moe’s Mart at White Oak Station reported a vehicle had backed into a trash can before leaving. Damage to the trash can was estimated at $80. The officer reviewed video of the event and determined the driver was Lisa Owens of Scranton. Owens reported she was involved but didn’t think she had caused any damage She later noticed damage estimated at $200 to the rear bumper of her 2013 Ford F150 pickup truck. The accident occurred on private property, so no citation was issued. At 1:54 pm officers were requested near Grimmell Rd and W. Russell St for a driver who had struck a deer. Gene Haman of Jefferson struck a deer with his 2005 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 pickup truck. Damage to the truck was estimated at $100. Haman was given a salvage tag to take the deer.
Thursday, Nov. 7: At 9:22 pm an officer performed a traffic stop at Highway 4 and 257th St after the officer’s radar locked the vehicle at 10 mph over the limit in the 1400 block of S. Elm St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Gary Wayne Lincoln, 60, of Dexter for operating while intoxicated- first offense (simple misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for excessive speed.
Wednesday, Nov. 6: At 2:46 pm a complainant reported to an officer that she was assaulted while walking in the 800 Block of N. Cedar St. The complainant advised she was struck from behind and assaulted while on the ground. She could provide no description of the person(s) involved. *****An officer has requested an arrest warrant for Michael Allen Clement, 58, of Boone for possession of marijuana- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. Items seized from Clement after an officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from his person at Sparky’s One Stop on 11/01. The items tested positive for marijuana.
Tuesday, Nov. 5: At 3:15 pm a caller advised of a shoplifting at Fareway. The caller advised the male was still present in the business and ended the call before the dispatcher could gather any further information. Officers responded to Fareway, where no one had any knowledge of the call being made. Officers later learned the caller was at the Fareway in Carroll, not Jefferson. The Carroll PD had responded in that city.
Monday, Nov. 4: At 11:15 am staff at the Jefferson library reported criminal mischief damage to an exterior light. Officers will be providing extra patrol in the area after dark. At 3:59 pm an officer arrested Jason William Sheldahl, 48, of Jefferson on an outstanding warrant for violation of pre-trial release*. At 5:06 pm an officer was requested at the Greene County Medical Center emergency room for a male juvenile who claimed he was assaulted at Greene County Middle School. The officer is investigating the reported assault.
Sunday, Nov. 3: At 7:44 am an officer transported two dogs running at large in the 500 block of E. Clark St to the animal holding facility. At 9 am an officer responded to a two-vehicle accident in the 800 block of W. Lincoln Way. Lorranie Lawrie was backing her 1994 Ford Taurus out of her garage and struck a 2002 GMC pickup truck that was parked in the alley. Owner of the truck is Duane Forkner. Damage to Lawrie’s vehicle was estimated at $300. Damage to Forkner’s truck was estimated at $500. At 8:50 am an officer responded to the Jefferson Community Golf Course for cattle walking on the course. At 6:58 pm an officer responded to a residence in the 100 block of E. Central Ave for a report of a sex assault. An officer is investigating. At 7:45 pm an officer responded to the Greene County Medical Center emergency department for a female who was violent. Lauren Schulte, 25, of Jefferson was arrested for disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)*. ***** On 10/10 staff at Bomgaars reported receiving a check from a male and female that was forged on a closed account in Altoona. The owner of the stolen checks was also from Altoona. An officer began investigating and determined that this was not the only time these stolen checks were used. They were used at the following establishments from 9/29 to 10/11:
• Circle K gas station in Boone – Amount of $22.74
• Bomgaars in Jefferson – Amount $229.62
• Fareway in Jefferson – Amount of $82.81
• Ninja Sushi Steak House in Fort Dodge – Amount of $30.00
• Moe’s Mart in Jefferson – Amount of $37.51
• Sparky’s in Jefferson – Amount of $40.00
• Casey’s General Store in Jefferson – Amount of $20.00
• Kwik Trip in Fort Dodge – Amount of $102.92
• The Repeat Boutique in Fort Dodge – Amount of $45.13
• Check to Mark Mendenhall, cashed at Legacy Bank in Altoona – Amount of $400.00
During the lengthy investigation, it was determined the suspects were Mark Mendenhall, 47, of Fort Dodge and Heather Schulz, 32, of Algona. It was also determined the checks were stolen from a business in Des Moines. As a result, arrest warrants have been requested for both individuals for forgery- Class D felony (11 counts), ongoing criminal conduct (Class B felony), theft- third degree (aggravated misdemeanor) and identity theft- aggravated misdemeanor (11 counts)*. The Jefferson PD was assisted by the Kossuth County sheriff’s office, Algona PD, Fort Dodge PD, Boone PD, Altoona PD and the Polk County sheriff’s office.
Saturday, Nov. 2: On 11/01 at 11:31 pm, Grand Junction Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a residence in Grand Junction for a medical call. A Jefferson police officer overheard radio traffic between the Grand Junction Fire & Rescue Ambulance and Greene County dispatch as they began traveling to the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson to transport a patient. The officer noticed the driver of the ambulance, who was also the individual completing the radio transmissions to dispatch, was slurring his speech. This male was later identified as Grand Junction fire chief Thomas Launderville. The officer investigated and subsequently arrested Launderville, 39, of Grand Junction for operating while intoxicated- second offense (aggravated misdemeanor)*. At 7:32 am as a result of a traffic stop at the intersection of S. Elm and W. Madison Sts, an officer conducted a probable cause search of a vehicle that was driven by Nicholas Scar of Earlham. The officer detected the smell of marijuana. During the search, the officer located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Criminal charges are pending on lab results.
Friday, Nov. 1: At 1:39 am an officer encountered a male at Sparky’s One Stop who had the strong odor of marijuana coming from his person. The officer made contact with the male and identified him as Michael Clement of Boone. The officer located suspected marijuana on Clement’s person. Criminal charges are pending on lab results. At 3:15 pm a complainant reported receiving a forged check for Mark Mendenhall of Fort Dodge. This was in connection with an ongoing investigation of forgery. (See arrest warrant information for Mark Mendenhall and Heather Schulz in the 11/03 report). A5 5:21 pm as a result of a traffic stop Damon Zimple of Minneapolis, MN, was arrested on an outstanding Greene County arrest warrant for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*.
*Note: All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
