Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Friday, July 31: At 9:55 am an officer responded to the county attorney’s office and spoke with a subject about possible child abuse occurring of a 14-year-old. The officer is investigating the reported events. At 11 am an officer began an investigation after a report of tools being taken from a job site in the 100 Block of W. Gallop Rd. At 3:36 pm while on patrol an officer witnessed two vehicles parked beside each other at Sparky’s One-Stop. The officer knew the owners of both vehicles and had knowledge of a No Contact Order in place between them. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Jason William Sheldahl, 49, of Scranton for violation of a protective order (simple misdemeanor)*. At 6:49 pm a complainant reported a male attempting to sell him tools and other items in the parking lot at Dollar General. The subject advised him his grandfather had just died and he was selling his items. The vehicle was gone from the location before the officer was contacted.
Thursday, July 30: At 8:27 am staff at Peoples Bank reported a check forgery. An officer is investigating. At 6:39 pm staff at HyVee reported the theft of alcohol from the store with a loss of $90.96. After obtaining video footage, arrest warrants were requested for Alysha Oravetz, 39, of Jefferson for theft– fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. At 10:05 pm an anonymous person reported suspects stealing Trump 2020 campaign signs.
Wednesday, July 29: At 9:35 am Union Pacific railroad employees reported children playing on the railroad tracks near the intersection of E. Perry and N. Cedar Sts.
Tuesday, July 28: Routine activity reported.
Monday, July 27: At 2:52 am a caller advised of a couple in a vehicle at Sparky’s One-Stop who were involved in a fight. The officer made contact with the couple and determined a verbal argument was occurring. Both parties advised nothing physical had occurred between them. At 11:06 am a caller advised he had received flower seeds in the mail from overseas and had not ordered them. This is reported to be occurring nationwide and we are advised not to plant the seeds by government officials. At 12:52 pm an officer performed a traffic stop in the 500 block of W. Lincoln Way with a vehicle that had expired registration and a brake light out. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Shayla Nicole Stephenson, 30, of Grand Junction for operating while intoxicated and child endangerment (serious misdemeanors)*. She was also cited for fail to use child restraint device, improper rear lamp, and operation without registration. At 8:06 pm a complainant reported an assault had actually occurred in the early morning incident at Sparky’s. She advised that out of fear she had lied to the officer earlier about the argument called in to police. The officer is investigating the reported assault.
Sunday, July 26: At 1:51 pm staff at Casey’s General Store requested an officer to take possession of suspected narcotics and related items which had been located in the business. Video surveillance will be reviewed by Casey’s staff to determine who placed the items in the business. At 10:13 pm staff at Casey’s reported a male had attempted to use a personal check for $90 to purchase items at the business. The clerk knew the subject on the check was deceased a month ago. She advised the subject of this knowledge and they left without purchasing the items. The officer is investigating.
Saturday, July 25: At 1:10 am a complainant reported an intoxicated female outside a residence in the 900 block of W. Lincoln Way screaming loudly. The officer arrived and learned a male neighbor had heard the screaming and went over to see if he could assist the screaming female. The female assaulted the neighbor before officers arrived. Shanna Lee Herrera, 40, of Carroll was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct- fighting and assault (simple misdemeanors)*. At 8:53 pm a caller advised of a bonfire at a residence in the 100 block of N. Walnut St. The officer located the fire, which was controlled in a fire ring. This is not a violation of the current burn ban. At 10:28 pm a complainant reported a fire in the 500 block of N. Olive St. The officer located subjects burning without a fire ring at a residence in the 400 block of N. Olive St and requested they extinguish the fire.
Friday, July 24: At 4:16 am officers were called to the Greene County Medical Center ER at for a fight in progress in the parking lot. An intoxicated male patient had walked away from ER with an IV in his arm. He had fought with subjects in the parking lot who were there on his behalf. A male subject who was the driver of vehicle was given field sobriety testing, and subsequently passed the testing. A consent search was conducted of the vehicle and the officer located a smoking device. It was seized for lab testing. James Matthews of Ogden was cited for open container – passenger. Future charges are pending lab results on the smoking device. Officers later located the subject who walked away from ER on the square. The male subject was taken back to ER for medical treatment. The male began to resist the staff and officers at ER and struck the officer in the chest with his fist. Arrest warrants will be requested for Michael Marlin Matthews, 24, of Grand Junction for public intoxication (simple misdemeanor) and assault on a peace officer (serious misdemeanor)*. At 4:59 am a complainant reported her 17-year-old daughter had received a nude photo on Snap Chat from a 24-year-old male. The officer learned it occurred in Grand Junction and the case was forwarded to the sheriff’s office. At 2:32 pm the sheriff requested an officer to assist with courthouse security during a trial. At 3:28 pm a caller advised of subjects crawling under the gate at the impound lot located at E. Perry and N. Locust Sts. This was in connection to a vehicle impounded by the sheriff’s office and the information was forwarded to them. At 8:07 pm a complainant reported a burglary had occurred sometime in the last three weeks at a residence in the 300 block of N. Chestnut St. Several items were reported as stolen. The officer is investigating.
Thursday, July 24: At 5:59 pm an officer arrested Brittany Smith for an active Greene County warrant for interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor)*. At 9:23 pm a complainant reported an individual peeping into the bathroom window of his residence in the 1100 block of McDuffie Drive. An officer is investigating.
Wednesday, July 22: At 9:34 am Jennifer Ashby reported her neighbor shot at her cat in the 100 block of E. Central Ave. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered the neighbor, Scott Halligan, had lit a firecracker once the cat crossed onto his property to scare the animal away. Ashby confronted Halligan and broke the passenger window and taillights on his 2000 Chevy Silverado pickup, using a hammer, causing an estimated $750 in damages to the vehicle. Ashby was subsequently arrested for criminal mischief, harassment, and trespass*. A warning was issued to Halligan for using fireworks within city limits and to Ashby for animal at large. At 11:23 am a complainant reported a fight at a residence in the 200 block of W. Adams St. Officers arrived and arrested James Pena and Christopher Lindaman for assault- simple*. At 4 pm a complainant reported the theft of a check for $1,200 from his residence in the 400 block of E. State St. The officer is investigating
Tuesday, July 21: At 11:34 am an officer was advised of a possible assault which had occurred at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab. The officer is investigating. At 9:06 pm a caller advised of heavy smoke in the air in the 900 block of N. Pinet St. The officer located a subject burning yard waste. The officer advised him of the burn ban in effect in Greene County and had the subject extinguish the fire.
Monday, July 20: At 9:07 am a complainant reported an injured bird in her yard in the 600 block of S. Olive St. A conservation employee was on scene when the officer arrived and handled the bird. At 10:51 am a complainant reported the Redemption Center is paying only $.04 per can instead of the full $.05 redemption. The officer advised him he can take the cans somewhere else and does not have to agree to the $.04 per can if he chooses not to. At 11:13 am a complainant reported a large Mastiff running loose near the Cedar St railroad crossing. The officer could not get close to the animal as it runs away. The department has had several issues with the animal and is trying to figure out the owner of the dog. At 12:52 pm a complainant reported an assault that had occurred two weeks earlier at a residence in the 600 block of N. Chestnut St. The officer is investigating. At 7:49 pm a complainant reported a possible sex assault against a female friend had occurred in Jefferson sometime in the recent past. The officer is working with DHS and starting an investigation into the reported event.
Sunday, July 19: At 12:47 am an officer performed a traffic stop on Highway 4 just north of Highway 30 after witnessing the driver fail to stop at the posted stop sign. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Gretta Darlene Halterman, 19, of Jefferson for OWI- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*. She was also cited for fail to obey a stop sign and fail to provide proof of financial liability. A citation for possession of alcohol under legal age will be added. At 6:24 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 300 block of N. High St. Jaxon Warnke of Scranton backed his 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck from a private driveway and backed into a 2015 Chrysler 200 parked on the street. The Chrysler is owned by John Sturgeon and was not damaged. Warnke was cited for unsafe backing. Damage to his pickup truck was estimated at $1,000. At 7:27 pm a complainant reported the theft of his 2000 Chevrolet truck from the 700 block of N. Wilson Ave. The vehicle contained $1,000 worth of mechanics’ tools. The vehicle was seen by the owner parked one-half hour prior to when it was missing. The vehicle has been entered as stolen in the NCIC system.
Saturday, July 18: At 6:56 pm as a deputy was heading to an emergent call, he witnessed the vehicle behind his leaving the roadway and driving erratically. He radioed a Jefferson officer and advised him of the issue. The officer spotted the reported vehicle and began to follow it eastbound on Highway 30. The officer witnessed the vehicle leaving the roadway and having issues maintaining his lane. The officer attempted a traffic stop but the driver refused to pull over and reached speeds of 95 mph while traveling eastbound. The driver pulled over on Highway 30 west of Pioneer Ave east of Jefferson. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Austin Michael Laverne Lindahl, 19, of Boone for operating while intoxicated (serious misdemeanor) and reckless driving (simple misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for speed and possession of alcohol under legal age. At 8:37 pm while on patrol officers witnessed a male striking an object with a baseball bat in Chautauqua Park in the 700 block of S. Maple St. The officers spoke to the male and learned he was hitting a pinata and had not damaged city property.
Friday, July 17: At 2:37 am during patrol, an officer spotted a golf cart traveling south on N. Mulberry St. The officer saw several juveniles on the cart and attempted to stop them. The juveniles fled to the east on Central Ave and eventually fled into a corn field. Officers caught two juveniles and learned the cart was stolen from the 900 block of W. Harrison St. In speaking with the juveniles they caught, the officers were given the names of two others involved. The officer sent charges to the juvenile court for two 15-year-old males for theft- third degree (aggravated misdemeanor) and trespass and interference with official acts (simple misdemeanors)*. They were also cited for a curfew violation. One was cited for minor using tobacco. Charges are pending for the other two juveniles involved and the investigation continues. At 8:34 am a complainant reported a subject following her in a vehicle and taking photos of her as she walked in the 1300 block of W. Lincoln Way. The officers did not locate the reported vehicle, but are investigating as the complainant provided license plate information for the vehicle. At 9:22 pm staff at Wild Rose Casino requested an officer for a female patron who was refusing to leave. The officer arrived and learned the female had signed paperwork in 2005 banning her from Iowa casinos. She left the casino on her own free will after speaking to the officer.
Thursday, July 16: At 9:32 pm as a result of a traffic stope in the 700 block of E. Lincoln Way, James Harris was arrested on an outstanding Greene County arrest warrant for domestic abuse assault- third offense (Class D felony)*.
Wednesday, July 15: At 10:24 am staff at the Wild Rose Casino reported a theft of $200 involving a patron who had dropped an envelope containing cash. An officer is investigating.
Tuesday, July 14: Routine activity reported.
Monday, July 13: At 11:22 am a complainant reported a female going to businesses in Jefferson asking for information about a family member. The female was claiming to be a private investigator. At 12:40 pm an officer returned a shopping cart to Dollar General that had been located a few blocks away. At 8:52 pm an officer was advised of a small group sitting around a fire near N. Oak and W. Washington Sts. The caller advised of the strong odor of marijuana in the area. The officer spoke to the group about the incident, but could take no further action.
Sunday, July 12: At 7:32 pm officers and a deputy located and captured a goat that had gotten loose from the Jefferson Vet Clinic a few days earlier. The vet took possession of the animal from the officers. ***** An officer requested arrest warrants for Ryan Douglas Patterson, 39, of Jefferson after concluding an investigation he began on 6/29. The complaint alleges that Patterson struck a subject on a bicycle, knocking him off of the bike. Patterson left his vehicle and physically assaulted the subject. Witnesses saw the event occur at N. Elm and W. Stanford Sts and called police. The officers located the victim in the area a short time later, and he signed the complaint. The subject had minor bodily injuries from the event. The warrants are for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident (serious misdemeanor), assault while displaying a dangerous weapon (aggravated misdemeanor), and reckless driving (simple misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for failure to yield to pedestrian within the intersection and stopping on the paved portion of highway.
Saturday, July 11: At 2:42 am an officer located two juveniles on bikes in the 100 block of W. State St. He spoke to the juveniles about being out past curfew and sent them home. At 4:53 am officers checked the area of the 400 block of Edgewood Drive after dispatch received an accidental 911 call from the area.
Friday, July 10: At 12:05 pm staff at Dollar General requested an officer for an unruly customer who refused to leave the business when asked to do so. The officer arrived and spoke to the customer, who left on her own after speaking with a store manager. The customer was advised she is no longer welcome in the business. At 6:56 pm an officer investigated a backing accident at the former high school parking lot. A 2017 Ford Fusion, owned and operated by Danielle Ohm of Newton, backed into a parked 2019 Dodge Durango owned by Dorothy Thorpe of Jefferson. Each vehicle suffered very minor damages. The officer assisted with an information exchange. At 11:34 pm a complainant reported three juveniles going through vehicles parked in the 700 block of N. Wilson Ave before leaving the area on bicycles. The officers did not locate anyone in the area.
Thursday, July 9: At 7:12 pm a caller advised he was on his way to ER with his daughter who he thought had broken her leg. He advised he was driving above the speed limit. The officer advised him to slow down and safely get her to ER. At 9:18 pm a complainant reported an argument had occurred between her and her boyfriend. He left in a vehicle and had been consuming alcohol. The officer made contact with the boyfriend at the Wild Rose Casino and had him arrange a ride from the business.
Wednesday, July 8: At 8 am officers assisted the sheriff’s office with the execution of a search warrant at 209 E. Russell St.
Tuesday, July 7: At 7:50 am a complainant reported a fox in a live trap in the 100 Block of W. McKinley St. The officer made contact with the property owner and removed the fox from the city limits for the owner. At 9:39 am the owner of the building at 704 N. Elm St reported overnight damage to it. Unknown subjects had gained entry through a window and broke numerous glass objects inside. A cordless grinder was also taken from the property. The officer is investigating. At 10:44 am a complainant requested officers at a residence in the 800 block of W. Washington St to help with an unruly juvenile son. The officer’s investigation led to a juvenile charge of assault-simple being sent to the court for the 15-year-old.
Monday, July 6: At 6:46 pm officers assisted the Greene County Ambulance and the Jefferson fire department with a house fire at 406 E. State St. The fire chief believes the fire started outside next to the building. The interior of the residence suffered only heavy smoke damage. Some structure damage existed on the north exterior of the residence. No one was present in the residence when the fire started. At 8:49 pm a complainant reported a burglary had occurred at a residence in the 200 block of N. Oak St. A TV and Xbox had been taken from the residence. Entry was gained by removing glass from the front door to the residence. A neighbor advised the officer of a white van with three subjects backed up to the residence and removed the items. The officer is investigating.
Sunday, July 5: An officer responded to two complaints of fireworks being shot off between 12 and 1 pm, the first near the swimming pool and the second in the 300 block of E. Madison St. The officer spoke to a group on the second call and advised them fireworks are illegal in Jefferson. At 10:19 pm an officer performed a traffic stop with a driver who crossed the centerline near the intersection of N. Elm and Highway 30. The officer learned the vehicle had several juveniles in it. Curfew in Jefferson is 10:30 pm. He contacted parents to come to the scene and collect the juveniles instead of issuing citations.
Saturday, July 4: At 8:44 am a complainant reported a neighbor has been shooting her cats with a BB Gun at a residence in the 100 block of E. Central Ave. The officer spoke to the subject and advised him he can not discharge the BB gun in the city limits. The complainant was advised to keep her cats on her property. At 10:23 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the parking lot at Wild Rose Casino. Timothy Johnson of Jefferson backed his 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup truck into a parked 2017 Ford F150 pickup truck owned by Marc Walker of Jefferson. Damage to Walker’s truck was estimated at $300. Johnson’s truck was not damaged. At 10:45 pm an officer performed a traffic stop on Highway 30 near Pioneer Ave on a driver who had crossed the centerline. During the stop, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle the officer located a smoking device, a cigar containing marijuana and marijuana edible gummies. The items were seized for lab testing with future charges pending results. An officer responded to complaints of fireworks being shot off near S. Cedar and E. Park St, in the 600 block of S. Locust St, and in the 300 block of N. Maple St. The officer did not locate any fireworks at the first two placed, but did speak with a group at the third location and advised them fireworks are illegal in Jefferson.
Friday, July 3: At 6:25 am a complainant reported a couple fighting in a yard in the 500 block of W. State St. The two left in a vehicle and had left a bicycle and personal property in the yard. The officer located an ID card in the belongings and went to a residence in the 200 block of W. Russell St and made contact with the couple. The female advised she had been assaulted by the male with brass knuckles and he had brandished a knife in the assault. The officers located the brass knuckles in the residence. The female was taken to ER for multiple injuries. Justin Michael Cosnotti, 35, of Jefferson was arrested by officers and charged with domestic abuse assault- third or subsequent offense (Class D felony) willful injury casing serious injury (Class C felony), harassment- first degree (aggravated misdemeanor), and child endangerment (aggravated misdemeanor)*. Officers prepared a search warrant and executed it at the residence a short time later. During the search officers seized marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, prescription medications and a large amount of drug paraphernalia. The reported knife used in the assault was also recovered. Additional charges were added for Cosnotti for possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, and false imprisonment (all serious misdemeanors)*. At 10:26 am staff at Wild Rose Casino reported an Intoxicated male they had refused entry was sitting near his vehicle there. The officer spoke to the subject and learned he was waiting for a ride to show up and take him home. He agreed to leave the keys for his vehicle at the casino to be picked up by his ride when they arrive. At 5:27 pm staff at Super 8 Motel advised of a female in the office area yelling obscenities wanting to speak with a male staying in a room. She had broken the safety glass out of the fire extinguisher in the lobby area. The female had left before the officer’s arrival. At 6:17 pm staff at Super 8 called and advised the female had returned to the motel and was screaming obscenities again. The officers arrived and spoke to the female. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Kayli Jayde Elsberry, 22, of Boone for operating while intoxicated (serious misdemeanor) and criminal mischief- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. At 8:26 pm an officer performed a traffic stop with a speeding vehicle in the 200 block of S. Vine St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Brendan Robert James, 20, of Bouton for OWI (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for excessive speed, failure to provide proof of financial liability, failure to have a valid driver’s license, and possession of alcohol under age.
Thursday, July 2: At 6:28 am staff at Fareway advised of an abandoned bicycle at the store. They also advised of a large dog getting into their dumpster overnights and dragging garbage out to the ground. The officers are aware of the dog but have not been able to get close to it before it runs away. They are working to figure out who owns the animal. The bicycle was placed in impound. At 10 am an officer investigated a backing accident in the 100 block of E. Monroe St. Tasheena Sebourne of Jefferson backed from a parking spot and struck a sheriff’s vehicle driven by Cole Crowder of Jefferson as he passed by. Sebourne was cited for unsafe backing. Damage to her 2015 Dodge Caravan was estimated at $800. Damage to the sheriff office’s 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe was estimated at $1,000. At 1:58 pm a complainant reported two of her cats had been attacked by something in the 100 block of E. Central Ave. She provided the officer with information that she believed to be connected to her injured cats. The officer is investigating.
Wednesday, July 1: At 3:43 pm an officer arrested James Alexander Pena, 22, on outstanding Jefferson police department arrest warrants issued in April on charges of domestic abuse assault (simple misdemeanor) and child endangerment (aggravated misdemeanor)*. At 5:33 pm a complainant reported damage to planted corn near the 1000 block of E. Russell St. The officer is investigating.
*Note: All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
