Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Friday, Jan. 31: At 4:13 pm an officer investigated a backing accident at Camden Apartments at 102 S. Grimmell Road. Marlene Murphy was backing into a parking space with her 1992 Nissan Sentra. She advised she stepped on the gas instead of the brake and backed into the apartment building. Her vehicle was not damaged, but the building incurred a reported $5,000 in damages. Murphy was issued a citation for fail to provide proof of financial liability – accident related.
At 9:48 pm an officer performed a traffic stop in the 100 block of E. Lincoln Way with a driver who had failed to stop as posted. The officer learned the driver was barred in the state of Iowa and arrested Jason William Kruse, 26, of Nevada for driving while license barred*. As the officer was speaking to Kruse, the GCSO K-9 deputy ran his dog around the vehicle. The dog had a positive hit on the vehicle. The officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located suspected narcotics and related items in the vehicle. The items were seized by the officers for testing. Kruse was also cited for fail to obey a stop sign. Charges are pending lab results on the seized items.
Thursday, Jan. 30: At 4:10 am a complainant reported a subject passed out in his car at the posted stop sign at Highway 30 and N. Elm St. The officer made contact with an overtired driver, who had fallen asleep at the intersection. At 9:47 am staff at Greene County High School reported another student had been caught with a vaping device and suspended out of school for three days. The officer cited Daniel Ferguson of Scranton for minor using vaping product. At 10:19 am staff at Home State Bank reported an elderly Jefferson female had fallen victim to the Publisher’s Clearing House phone scam. The victim had been advised of a $2 million prize. She had been instructed to purchase several gift cards and provide the caller with the numbers on those cards. The cards totaled a loss to the victim of $6,839.25. She also had mailed a personal check to the subject for $3,200. formation will be forwarded to the Iowa Attorney General’s office.
Wednesday, Jan. 29: At 8:19 am a complainant reported a juvenile standing in the roadway on S. Elm St at Ram Drive. The The officer made contact with the juvenile, who advised she was distraught with issues in her life. Greene County High School counselors arrived and took the student inside to speak with her further. At 3:15 pm an officer was advised by a juvenile female that another student was sending inappropriate photos of her to people on Snapchat. The officer advised her that when you put photos like this of yourself on social media they never go away and can haunt you in the future. The officer spoke to the female party who was forwarding these images and explained the damage she can do to another person by circulating the photos. Nothing illegal had occurred and the photos did not contain nudity. At 11:06 pm officers were requested at a residence in the 500 block of N. Grimmell for a reported assault. The officer arrived and spoke to the reporting party. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Ryan Douglas Patterson, 39, of Jefferson for trespass (simple misdemeanor)*. Other charges are pending against Patterson at this time. ***** An officer has completed an investigation that began on 1/19 when a complainant reported a friend had used her credit card without permission. The officer has requested an arrest warrant for James Leon Cunningham, 45, of Jefferson for unauthorized use of credit card (aggravated misdemeanor) and theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. ***** Officer issued four citations for snow emergency parking violations during this reporting period.
Tuesday, Jan. 28: At 7 am a complainant reported a subject on the roof of a building in the 100 block of E. State St. Officers arrived and located a male on the roof. They coaxed him down from the roof and spoke further with him. He advised he had been chased by three vehicles from Ogden and climbed onto the roof to get away from them. He advised he had climbed onto a neighboring building and had tossed two concrete blocks off of the building to the street below. He advised he did this to get the attention of a passing sheriff’s vehicle. The officers arrested Christopher Allen Hay, 21, of Carroll for criminal mischief- and trespass, both simple misdemeanors*. 5th At 10:44 am staff at Greene County High School reported a student had dropped a vaping device in front of a teacher. The student was given a three-day out-of-school suspension. The officer cited Gailee Richter, 17, of Jefferson for minor using vaping product. At 11:46 am an officer located two dogs running loose near W. Madison and S. Maple Sts. He was able to catch the animals and placed them in the animal holding facility. At 7:05 pm an officer conducted a traffic stop at Highway 30 and Mulberry St. The officer arrested Keith Eugene Schafer, 64, of Jefferson on a charge of driving while license revoked (serious misdemeanor)*.
Monday, Jan. 27: At 5:43 am Ames PD requested assistance from Jefferson officers in locating a vehicle driven by an attempted murder suspect. Cell phone pings showed the vehicle was en route to the Jefferson area. The officers were later advised the phone pings showed the suspect was east of the Jefferson area heading south towards Hwy. 141. At 3:58 pm a complainant reported possible fraudulent activity on his checking account. The officer is gathering more information and investigating the report. At 6:11 pm an officer performed a traffic stop near W. State and N. Vine Sts. During the stop the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The officer conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. Officers located baggies of suspected marijuana in the glove box and seized them. An officer also was given a baggy of suspected marijuana from one of the subject’s person. Juvenile charges have been sent to juvenile court for two 16-year-old males for possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor)*. The officer also cited Ethan Sloan and Austin Higgins-Owens, both of Jefferson, for minor using tobacco.
Sunday, Jan. 26: At 9:03 am Tiffany Johnson reported a vehicle fire at 1206 Rushridge Road. An officer was able to extinguish the fire before the arrival of the Jefferson fire department. Damage to the 2008 Chrysler Aspen, which is owned by Johnson, was estimated at $5,000. ***** An officer has requested an arrest warrant after completing an investigation of a sex assault reported on 1/20. The warrant is for Devin Julian Villalobos, 18, of Jefferson for sex abuse- third degree (class C felony)*. Villalobos allegedly engaged in sex acts with a 13-year-old female.
Saturday, Jan. 25: At 9:02 pm officers were advised on an assault which had occurred at X-treme skating rink. A parent was following a vehicle that had left after the assault. Officers located the vehicle and performed a traffic stop in the 500 block of W. Adams St. Officers approached the vehicle and immediately smelled the pungent odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During a probable cause search, officers located numerous illegal items inside the vehicle. Officers seized tobacco products, alcohol, drug paraphernalia items, suspected marijuana, and a loaded .380 caliber handgun. Three juveniles were arrested and taken to the LEC. A 15-year-old male from Panora was arrested and charged with carrying weapons (aggravated misdemeanor) and assault and possession of marijuana (simple misdemanors)*. He was also cited for possession of alcohol under legal age. He was later transported to juvenile detention. A second 15-year-old male from Jamaica was arrested and charged with carrying weapons and assault- simple, and cited for possession of alcohol under legal age. He was released to parents. A 16-year-old female from Bagley was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and reckless driving (simple misdemeanor)*. She was also released to parents. Two were cited for minor using tobacco and one was cited for careless driving.
Friday, Jan. 24: At 11:26 am a complainant advised she had located drug paraphernalia while cleaning up a residence in the 300 block of W. Washington St. The officer collected the items for destruction. At 2:26 pm a traffic stop in the 200 block of S. Elm St resulted in the arrest of Travis Austin Smith, 28, of Churdan for driving while license barred (aggravated misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for fail to provide proof of financial liability. At 3:30 pm a complainant reported she received $1,000 cash from a Jefferson male to repay a loan she had provided him in the past. After the subject left her apartment, she noticed the ten $100 bills appeared to be fake. She also noticed a newly filled prescription was missing from her apartment. The officer is investigating. At 4:54 pm a complainant advised his elderly grandfather had fallen victim to a scam phone call. The subject had purchased gift cards and provided the scammers with the numbers on the cards. The subject incurred a loss of $500. These types of crimes are untraceable and most times can not be investigated by officers. At 5:46 pm staff at Moe’s Mart reported the theft of numbers from the overhead gas price sign at White Oak Station. The officer is investigating the report. At 7:34 pm the complainant from the 11:26 am call advised she had found more narcotic-related items and a weapon while cleaning the residence in the 300 block of W. Washington St. The officer gathered suspected narcotic-related items and a modified .22 caliber rifle with a banana clip. The officer’s investigation led to the request of arrest warrants for Robert E. Barnard, 53, of Jefferson for possession of firearm by a felon (class D felony), possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. At 10:17 pm officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of N. Vine in connection with the counterfeit $100 bills reported earlier in the day. More counterfeit money was recovered from the residence. The officer has requested an arrest warrant for Dakota Neil Bishop, 26, of Jefferson for forgery (class D felony)*.
Thursday, Jan. 23: At 11:18 am a complainant requested an officer at a residence in the 300 block of W. Washington St for a disturbance. The officer spoke to all parties in the residence and the two persons involved agreed to separate for the day. At 12:21 pm officers were called back to the same residence. The officers’ investigation led to the arrest of Robert E. Barnard, 53, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault while displaying weapon (aggravated misdemeanor)*. At 1:40 pm staff at Alliant Energy reported the theft of electrical services from a residence in the 1000 block of N. Walnut St. The meter at the residence had been removed for non-payment. Alliant workers found someone had used copper wire to bypass the meter socket and allow the system to energize without the meter. The officer is investigating. At 3 pm a Department of Corrections probation officer requested assistance from an officer in speaking to a Jefferson resident in connection with violation of a protective order that occurred in another jurisdiction.
Wednesday, Jan. 22: At 2:15 pm officers arrested Matthew John Goff, 46, of Perry, at a residence in Jefferson on an outstanding Dallas County arrest warrant for probation violation*. Officers learned during the arrest that Goff had allegedly stolen alcohol from Hy-Vee earlier in the day. An officer has received video of the event and has requested an arrest warrant for Goff for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. Goff was taken to Greene County Medical Center ER for a medical evaluation by a doctor and later transported to Dallas County for the warrant. Officers issued eight citations for snow emergency parking violations. ***** An officer has completed a forgery investigation which began on 01/10. A complainant reported a recent house guest had cashed numerous forged checks from his account at a bank in Clive. The checks totaled $4,761. The officer has requested arrest warrants for James Edward Inman, 39, of Des Moines for forgery (class D felony) eight counts, theft- second degree (class D felony) and ongoing criminal conduct (class B felony)*.
Tuesday, Jan. 21: The Jefferson police department has been assisted by Federal US Postal Inspectors in an investigation in Jefferson. At 1:30 pm, as a result of the investigation, officers executed a narcotics search warrant at 308 N. Pinet St. Information was gathered in the investigation showing packages of narcotics were being sent from out-of-state to the address through the US Postal Service. Officers stood by as a package was delivered to the residence and then moved in with the search warrant a short time later. The package was recovered with suspected marijuana wax inside. The packaging from a previously delivered package was also taken into evidence. Charges are pending lab results on the seized substances. ***** An officer requested an arrest warrant for Robert Richard Kovar, 35, of Jefferson for theft- fifth degree*. The charge stems from an investigation the began on 01/03 when city water department workers found the water service to a residence in the 700 block of W. Mahlon St had been turned back on at the curb stop. The service had been shut off for non-payment for the service. ***** An officer completed an investigation that began on 11/25/19 of several checks that had been written to Hy-Vee and returned for insufficient funds. The checks totaled $1,330. The officer requested an arrest warrant for Juan Angel Guzman, 32, of Jefferson on a charge of theft- second degree (Class D felony)*.
Monday, Jan. 20: At 9:03 am Jefferson officers began an investigation into a reported sex assault in Jefferson involving a 13-year-old female. At 11:59 am a complainant reported a possible attempted burglary at a residence in the 300 block of Rushview Dr. Someone had attempted to force entry to the front door, causing $209 damage to the door. The officer is investigating.
Sunday, Jan. 19: At 1:32 am a complainant notified officers of a male yelling in the 200 block of S. Cedar St. Officers responded and spoke with the male, identified as Zachary Smith, who advised he was having an argument on his cellular phone. While speaking with Smith, officers detected the odor of alcohol and noticed multiple signs of intoxication. Smith submitted a breath specimen for a P.B.T. showing a blood alcohol content of over .08 percent. Zachary Smith was subsequently arrested for public intoxication and consumption of alcohol in a public place by a minor*. At 9:34 am a complaint advised her debit card had been used without her permission. An officer is investigating. At 10:28 am a complainant requested a welfare check on a dog in the 300 block of Rushview Drive. An officer checked on the animal and spoke with the animal’s owner. At 10:58 pm a subject requested an officer’s assistance at Henderson Park for a disabled vehicle. An officer arrived and assisted in freeing the vehicle from the snow.
Saturday, Jan. 18: At 12:59 pm a complainant reported a broken basement window at a residence located in the 300 block of N. Olive St. Damage to the window was estimated to be $100. An officer is investigating. At 2:16 pm a resident reported a fallen tree blocking the sidewalk in the 400 block of E. Monroe St. A tree removal service was notified and the tree was moved. Between 6:48 pm and 7:07 pm officers assisted Greene County Ambulance with two calls.
Friday, Jan. 17: Officer issued five citations for snow emergency parking violations.
Thursday, Jan. 16: Routine activity reported.
Wednesday, Jan. 15: At 8:30 pm a complainant reported a roommate had moved from a residence in the 300 block of W. Reed St and left their dog at the residence. They refuse to take possession of the animal and the complainant cannot care for it anymore. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility. At 9:33 pm a complainant reported the theft of $310 cash from a room at Cobblestone Hotel. Hotel staff is reviewing video tape to assist the officer’s investigation.
Tuesday, Jan. 14: Routine activity reported.
Monday, Jan. 13: Routine activity reported.
Sunday, Jan. 12: At 9:32 pm an officer spotted a wanted subject pumping fuel at Sparky’s One Stop and arrested him. Alexander Ruben Basurto was arrested on the outstanding Jefferson PD warrant for providing officer false information on traffic stop (simple misdemeanor)*.
Saturday, Jan. 11: Routine activity reported.
Friday, Jan. 10: At 3:55 pm a complainant reported a known male had cashed numerous checks on his account fraudulently at a bank in Clive. The checks total $4,211. The officer is investigating. At 4 pm a traffic stop in the 1200 block of N. Elm St resulted in the arrest of Marlene Eleanor Anderson, 50 of Jefferson for driving while license revoked (serious misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for failure to use child restraint device. At 4:53 pm an officer filled out a report of a one-vehicle property damage accident in the 600 block of S. Wilson Ave. Monica Dillavou of Grand Junction backed a 2019 Dodge Caravan owned by Genesis Development into a dumpster on private property. The impact with the dumpster broke the rear window out of the minivan. Damage was estimated at $1,000.
Thursday, Jan. 9: At 7:04 am a complainant reported a loose dog in the 600 block of S. Olive St. The officer placed the dog in the animal holding facility. At 1:54 pm a traffic stop in the 800 block of Central Ave resulted in the arrest of Greg William Hackler, 29, of Jefferson for driving while license barred (aggravated misdemeanor)*.
Wednesday, Jan. 8: At 3:55 pm a complainant reported her ex-husband was saying derogatory things about her on his Facebook page. The officer advised the ex-husband has First Amendment rights to do, but she could civilly have him stop. She could also not look at his page. No action was taken. At 6:29 pm staff at Casey’s General Store reported a small fuel spill. The Jefferson fire department assisted in cleaning up the spill. ***** An officer has requested an arrest warrant for Daniel Joseph Tasler, 28, of Jefferson for violation of a protective order (simple misdemeanor)*.
Tuesday, Jan. 7: Routine activity reported.
Monday, Jan. 6: At 11:45 am a resident caught a stray dog in the 600 block of W. Washington St. The officer placed the animal in the animal holding facility.
Sunday, Jan. 5: At 5:33 pm staff at Sparky’s One Stop reported the theft of a pair of gloves from the business. They will provide the officer with surveillance footage to further the officer’s investigation.
Saturday, Jan. 4: Routine activity reported.
Friday, Jan. 3: At 10:07 staff at city hall reported a resident paid their water bill with a check from an account that had been closed several years ago. The check had been returned. The officer is investigating. At 7:56 pm during a traffic stop an officer arrested Jason William Sheldahl, 48, of Jefferson on an outstanding JPD warrant for violation of protective order (simple misdemeanor)*. At 9:01 pm an officer arrested Tanisha Kathleen Rice, 44, of Jefferson on an outstanding JPD warrant for violation of protective order (simple misdemeanor)*.
Thursday, Jan. 2: At 11:50 am the city water department reported to an officer the water service had once again been turned back on at a residence in the 700 block of W. Mahlon St. The service had been shut off for non-payment, but workers found the valve had been turned back on. The officer is investigating. At 2:15 pm a resident brought a stray puppy to the LEC. The officer placed the pup in the animal holding facility. At 5:47 pm a resident reported her two dogs had gotten loose from a residence in the 900 block of S. Elm St. A few minutes later the officer learned one of the dogs had been struck and killed by a vehicle in the 100 block of W. Vest St. The officer disposed of the deceased animal for the owner.
Wednesday, Jan. 1: At 3:12 am an officer performed a traffic stop with a speeding driver near Highway 30 and Orchard Ave east of Jefferson. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Vilma Espanola Howlett of Boone for operating while intoxicated (serious misdemeanor)*. At 8:41 am an officer took a complaint of a burglary at a residence in the 700 block of W. State St. Items had been removed from the garage and residence overnight. The officer has developed a suspect and continues to investigate. At 11:21 am staff at A & W Family Restaurant reported criminal mischief had occurred at the business over night. Video clearly shows a male and female couple at the location. The male kicks the doors and a sign, causing damage. The officer is investigating.
*Note: All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
