Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Sunday, July 31: At 9:29 am an officer was called to HyVee regarding a shoplifting situation. The investigation led to the officer requesting arrest warrants for Royce Gonnelly and Alicia Hawkins, both of Jefferson, on charges of theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor)*. At 12:40 pm a complainant reported a theft from a shed in the 700 block of S. Elm St. An officer is investigating. ***** After completing an investigation an officer has requested arrest warrants for Gwendolyn Kissell of Jefferson on charges of possession of a controlled substance (serious misdemeanor) and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. ***** After completing an investigation an officer has charged a juvenile with possession of a controlled substance. The information was forwarded to juvenile court.
Saturday, July 30: At 3:30 pm an officer was called to the Funky Zebra in regards to a shoplifting situation. An officer investigated and subsequently charged two juveniles with theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor).
Friday, July 29: At 6:04 am members of the Jefferson PD, the Greene County sheriff’s office, and the Division of Criminal Investigations executed a search warrant in the 700 block of N. Cedar St. Suspected controlled substances were found. Charges are pending the completion of the investigation. At 9:29 am a complainant reported seeing a suspicious male on numerous occasions in the 800 block of S. Chestnut St. An officer collected information.
Thursday, July 28: Routine activity reported.
Wednesday, July 27: At 3:15 pm a complainant reported two stray dogs in his yard in the 800 block of W. Washington St. The officer placed the dogs in the animal holding facility. At 5:52 pm an officer investigated a dog bite that occurred in the 600 block of S. Vine St.
Tuesday, July 26: At 1:06 pm an officer investigated a backing accident at Casey’s. Jamie Espinoza of Jefferson backed his 2004 Chevrolet Silverado into a pole near the fuel pumps. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,000. Damage to the pole was estimated at $200. Espinoza was cited for open container- driver. At 4:19 pm staff at Dollar General reported catching a 14-year-old female shoplifting items at the store. The juvenile had taken $32.80 worth of merchandise. The officer sent a charge of theft- fifth degree to juvenile court for the juvenile. At 6:25 pm a complainant reported finding a vaping device in her juvenile daughter’s bedroom a second time. The officer issued the juvenile a citation for person under 21 using vape device- second offense. At 7:17 pm security staff at Wild Rose Casino reported a subject on the gaming floor who had previously signed a self-exclusion form in Iowa. The officer issued a summons to appear to Semir Osman Ali of Sioux City on a charge of trespass*.
Monday, July 25: At 12:10 pm a complainant reported a cat stuck in the motor compartment of a vehicle parked at HyVee. The officer assisted in removing the cat from the vehicle. At 4:05 pm staff at Wild Rose Casino reported they had located a baggy containing suspected methamphetamine on the gaming floor. The staff had reviewed video and knew the male subject who had dropped the item. The officer located the suspect leaving the parking lot in a vehicle and flagged him down and spoke with him. The officer issued male citations for driving while license suspended and fail to provide proof of financial liability.” The item will be sent to DCI Lab for testing, with charges pending results.
Sunday, July 24: Routine activity reported.
Saturday, July 23: At 1:03 am an officer witnessed a driver roll through the posted stop sign at Highway 30 and N. Elm St. The driver continued travelling east on Highway 30 in the westbound lane. The office performed a traffic stop with the driver at Highway 30 and Flack Ave. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Bryan J Bryant, 64, of Denison for operating while intoxicated (serious misdemeanor)*. He was also cited for failure to provide proof of financial liability, fraudulent use of registration, and driving on wrong side of two-lane highway.
Friday, July 22: At 3:14 pm a complainant requested officers at a residence in the 400 block of N. Cedar St for a report of a family member assaulting them inside the residence. The officer’s investigation led to arrest warrants being requested for Blake Matthew Millard, 36, of Jefferson for three counts of assault causing bodily injury (serious misdemeanor)*. The family reported Millard as “missing” the next day. He was entered into NCIC as a missing person. He was later found in Perry and taken for a medical evaluation. At 8:04 pm staff at Casey’s General Store requested an officer for a reported intoxicated male. It was reported the male was screaming at store clerks before leaving the business. A short time later, officers located the subject. The officers arrested Sirjohn Daniels Wilder, 37, of Jefferson and charged him with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and harassment- third degree (all simple misdemeanors)*.
Thursday, July 21: At 7:20 am a complainant reported a scam involving a car rental company that requested prepaid debit card numbers be sent to them. The officer explained that legitimate businesses typically do not require prepaid card numbers.
Wednesday, July 20: Routine activity reported.
Tuesday, July 19: At 1:35 am an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of N. Cedar St for a report of a female damaging the residence. The officer is investigating. At 1:31 pm a complainant reported unwanted contact from a female. The officer is investigating. At 1:40 pm a complainant from Glidden reported a theft she believed to have occurred in Jefferson. As a result of the investigation the officer applied for an arrest warrant for Rodney Charles Sheffield for theft- fourth degree (serious misdemeanor)*. At 2:56 pm a resident reported witnessing a single vehicle accident in the 900 block of S. Elm St. The officer learned Steven Murphy of Jefferson was northbound on Elm driving a Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck. The vehicle experienced a mechanical issue, causing the driver to lose control and swerve off the street and cause minor damage to property. Murphy was cited for violation of financial liability- accident related. At 4:27 pm an employee of Peoples Bank reported a female on bank property acting “odd.” The officer located and identified the female, who said she was picking up rocks to paint. The female was told she was on private property and requested to leave, which she did. At 5:10 pm an anonymous male reported seeing what he believed was a hand grenade on the ground in the 100 block of W. Wilcoxway. The officer located the item and found it was a truck’s ball hitch which had been painted green. The item was disposed of by the officer. At 5:42 pm HyVee staff reported a suspected shoplifter at the store. An officer responded and as a result of the investigation arrested Destiny George of Jefferson, the same female who had been at Peoples Bank earlier, for theft- fifth degree and disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanors)*.
Monday, July 18: At 12:58 pm a complainant reported he has been receiving harassing telephone calls. An officer is investigating. At 4:17 pm an officer arrested Nicole Borkowski on a Greene County arrest warrant for failure to serve a previous jail sentence.
Sunday, July 17: At 10:08 am an officer assisted a Greene County jailer with an inmate. At 11:14 am Kay Boar reported an unknown person collided with her vehicle while it was parked in the 300 block of S. Wilson Ave. An officer collected information, but the damage was minimal and a report was not needed. At 12:20 pm an officer assisted a Greene County deputy with a traffic collision at Highway 30 and L Ave west of Jefferson. At 7:53 pm a complainant reported a stray cat in the 400 block of S. Wilson Ave. An officer located the cat and took it to the animal holding facility. At 9:12 pm a complainant reported a dog bite situation that occurred in the 700 block of Rushview Dr. An officer investigated and explained the city ordinance to the dog owner.
Saturday, July 16: At 3:38 am while on patrol an officer saw a large tree that had fallen onto road near Lincoln Way and N. Pinet St. The officer contacted the public works director, who made arrangements to have the tree removed. At 5:24 pm an unknown caller reported a male who was believed to intoxicated in a public place in the 500 block of N. Elm. An officer responded and subsequently arrested SirJohn Wilder of Jefferson for public intoxication*. At 6:38 pm an officer assisted a Greene County jailer with an inmate who was noncompliant.
Friday, July 15: At 7:11 pm a complainant reported a log in the road in the 600 block of S. Walnut St. An officer removed the log. *****As a result of an investigation initiated 7/06, James Wells of Albion has been charged with forgery, identity theft, and fraudulent practice- fifth degree. Arrest warrants have been requested.
Thursday, July 14: At 5:26 pm an officer investigated a two-vehicle accident at W. Adams and N. Pinet Sts. Megan Wright of Jefferson was northbound on Pinet driving her 2004 Subaru Forester. Paige Bryson of Churdan was westbound on Adams driving a 2009 Toyota Camry owned by Lisa Minnehan of Churdan. The vehicles collided in the intersection. Both vehicles were a total loss. Wright was cited for fail to yield to vehicle on right and fail to provide proof of financial liability- accident related.
Wednesday, July 13: At 4:52 pm an officer performed a traffic stop near E. Lincoln Way and Cedar St on a vehicle with no registration plates. The vehicle was being driven by a 17-year-old male from Urbandale. The officer learned the vehicle had been reported as stolen out of Urbandale. The juvenile was placed in custody. The officer was given verbal permission from the juvenile to search a locking bag in the vehicle. The juvenile provided the combination to the bag to the officer. Suspected marijuana wax and smoking devices were located in the bag. Charges have been sent to juvenile court for the driver on charges of possession of stolen motor vehicle/over $10,000 (class D felony), possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*.
Tuesday, July 12: At 8:56 am a public works employee reported criminal mischief to the restroom at Russell Park. The stall partition and toilet were damaged. At 12:27 pm a complainant reported falling victim to a phone scam. The caller advised the complainant he was with a New York bank and she had won $2.1 million. The complainant reported giving the caller personal information. She was advised to notify her bank of the issue and watch her accounts closely. At 6:39 pm a complainant reported a teenage boy was running into the street in front of oncoming traffic near the overpass on N. Elm St. The officer located the juvenile and transported him to the LEC, where he was picked up by a parent.
Monday, July 11: At 4:35 am an officer assisted Jefferson fire and Alliant Energy with a power pole fire at Grimmell Rd and W. State St. At 11:10 am an officer provided traffic control in the 100 block of N. Grimmell Rd as an Alliant Energy crew replaced a utility pole.
Sunday, July 10: At 12:15 am an officer was called to Wild Rose Casino in regards to a possible trespass situation. An officer responded and helped to resolve the issue. At 8:20 pm a complainant reported a subject walking on N. Mulberry St who was possibly in a mental health crisis. Officers and the Greene County sheriff later located the subject and provided assistance.
Saturday, July 9: At 2:02 pm an officer responded to a traffic collision at Oly’s Corner. Jenny Fisher of Churdan was waiting in line in her 2021 Dodge Durango to enter the car wash. Arlene Johnson of Jefferson approached Fisher’s vehicle from the rear in her 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Johnson struck the rear of Fisher’s vehicle. Damage to Fisher’s vehicle was estimated at $500. Damage to Johnson’s vehicle was estimated at $200. At 4:59 pm an officer responded to a traffic collision in the HyVee parking lot. A 2019 Ford F250 owned by Larry Barr of Scranton was parked in a designated space. Kathleen Morain of Jefferson attempted to park her 2012 Chevrolet Cruz in a parking space in front of Barr’s vehicle. She pulled too far forward and struck it. Damage to Barr’s vehicle was minimal. Morain’s vehicle was not damaged. At 6:21 pm officers were called to Daubendiek Park regarding a male subject who was yelling and disorderly. Officers responded and made contact with Joseph Davenport of Des Moines. Officers determined Davenport was intoxicated and subsequently arrested him for public intoxication (simple misdemeanor)*. At 9:32 pm an officer arrested Michelle Cook of Jefferson on an active Greene County arrest warrant*.
Friday, July 8: At 11:47 am an officer responded to a two vehicle collision at the intersection of W. Washington and N. Vine Sts. Karen McCarty of Jefferson was southbound on Vine driving her 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. Brandon Gustoff of Jefferson was eastbound on Washington driving his 2016 Chrysler 200. The vehicles collided in the intersection. McCarty was cited for fail to yield to vehicle on the right. Damage to each of the vehicles was estimated at $1,000. At 6:24 pm a complainant reported a stray dog in the 300 block of Edgewood Ave. The officer took the dog to the animal holding facility.
Thursday, July 7: At 8:17 pm an officer was called to a residence in regard to an ongoing domestic situation. The officer is investigating.
Wednesday, July 6: At 9:49 am an officer started an investigation brought to him by a male subject concerning an identity theft Issue. At 2:54 pm a caller advised of two pit bulls running freely near N. Cedar and E. State Sts. Officers placed the dogs in the animal holding facility and will follow up with citations to the owner, who was out of town at the time. At 3:58 pm a complainant reported a careless driver on 237th St who almost ran her vehicle off the road. The officer located the reported vehicle a short time later and issued the driver a citation on an unrelated registration offense.
Tuesday, July 5: At 6:58 am officers assisted the Jefferson fire department in responding to an electrical fire in a garage in the 900 block of S. Elm St. The fire was extinguished quickly and the building suffered minimal damage.
Monday, July 4: At 5:35 am a complainant advised of a power line down in the 300 block of E. Garfield St. An Alliant Energy crew arrived to repair the line. At 9:05 pm a caller advised of fireworks near S. Maple and W. Russell Sts. The officer spoke to subjects in the area, who advised they would not light anymore. At 10:23 pm a caller advised of fireworks near N. Cedar and E. Washington Sts. The officer spoke to subjects in the area and advised they are illegal in Jefferson. The group ended setting off the fireworks in town.
Sunday, July 3: At 7:45 pm a Greene County jailer reported fireworks being lit in the 100 block of E. Monroe St. An officer located the source and advised the subject of the city ordinance.
Saturday, July 2: At 6:28 pm a complainant reported two dogs running at large in the 400 block of E. State St. An officer located the dogs and was subsequently able to secure them in the owner’s yard. As a result of the call the dogs’ owner was cited for animals running at large. *****An arrest warrant has been requested for Kenneth McClary of Blackburn, OK, on a charge of theft- first degree*. The charge is the result of an investigation that began 5/01/2022.
Friday, July 1: At 10:54 am a complainant reported a bat in a yard in the 300 block of E. Adams St. An officer responded, but was unable to assist the bat. At 1:59 pm an officer arrested Michael Olson of Jefferson on a Greene County arrest warrant for violation of pre-trial release*. At 8:09 pm a complainant reported criminal mischief to her vehicle. An officer is investigating.
*All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
