Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:
Wednesday, May 31: Routine activity reported.
Tuesday, May 30: At 1:16 pm officers and deputies investigated a burglary at the city impound lot. Someone entered the locked facility and removed items from the vehicles being held there.
Monday, May 29: Routine activity reported.
Sunday, May 28: At 5:54 am a complainant reported the theft of a $300 cell phone from a residence in the 300 block of N. Chestnut St. officer is investigating. At 5:33 pm a complainant reported he was nearly struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle near the 200 block of S. Olive St. The officer is investigating.
Saturday, May 27: At 8:25 pm staff at the Greene County Medical Center emergency room reported a dog bite. The patient was a young boy with a puncture wound on his arm. The child had been warned to stay away from a friend’s dog, which was crated. He stuck his arm inside the crate and was bitten. City ordinances state, “without provocation” when dealing with an animal bite. The animal is current on vaccinations.
Friday, May 26: At 7:26 am an officer located a stray dog in the 500 block of S. Chestnut St. The dog was placed in the animal shelter. At 10:58 am a complainant reported a juvenile driving recklessly near N. Grimmell Rd and W. Wall St. The officer has spoken to a parent of the juvenile, the juvenile, and all others involved. Charges are pending at this time. At 12:09 pm an officer was called to Greene County Middle School for a reported assault. The officer viewed video of the event and a 13-year-old male was taken into custody, charged with assault- simple* and released to a parent. At 6:21 pm an officer assisted the Jefferson fire department in responding to a structure fire at 200 S. Maple St. An unattached garage containing two vehicles was a total loss. A third vehicle was parked just outside of the garage and received damage. The fire chief did not find the fire suspicious and believed it was caused by electric outlets. At 7:51 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 400 block of N. Olive St. A 2020 Jeep Renegade owned by Kelsy Coffin of Jefferson was parked on N. Olive St. Kelly Derry of Jefferson was backing his 2022 Chevy Silverado from a private drive and struck the Coffin vehicle. The Coffin vehicle had a reported $600 in damages, while the Derry vehicle had a reported $100 in damages. At 8:25 pm the Jefferson fire department was sent back to the previous garage fire for a nearby tree on fire. The hotspot was put out.
Thursday, May 25: At 11:33 pm during a traffic stop the officer arrested the driver, Jason William Sheldahl, 52, of Scranton for outstanding JPD arrest warrants for trespass/damage and criminal mischief- fourth degree*.
Wednesday, May 24: At 4:55 pm a mother reported her juvenile son was missing for several minutes. The subject was located in the family vehicle a few minutes later. At 8:13 pm a mother requested assistance in looking for her son. The officer went to her residence and called the son, who arrived there shortly after the call.
Tuesday, May 23: At 8:49 am a complainant reported a broken glass patio door at a residence in the 700 block of N. Cedar St. The damage was estimated at $500. The officer is investigating. At 9:55 pm a resident caught a stray cat in the 900 block of N. Maple St. The officer took the cat to the animal shelter.
Monday, May 22: At 9:17 pm staff at Casey’s advised on an intoxicated female in the parking lot. The officer made contact with the female, who was complaining of injuries from falling. The subject was taken by ambulance to ER. The officer has requested an arrest warrant for Sarah Schwery, 46, of Jefferson for public intoxication*.
Sunday, May 21: At 7:27 am staff at Hy-Vee reported a male on the sidewalk harassing and yelling at customers. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Richard Charles Burkhardt, 54, of Jefferson for disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)*.
Saturday, May 20: At 1:22 am an officer arrested Jennie Shuttler, 42, of Jeferson on an outstanding arrest warrant for fail to appear on charge of possession of marijuana*. At 9:57 am a Perry police officer requested assistance from an officer in identifying a female involved in a theft of alcohol from Hy-Vee in Perry. The officer identified the female in the photos as a Jefferson resident. Perry PD will request arrest warrants. At 1:09 pm a complainant reported her adult daughter assaulted her before leaving A & W Family Restaurant. The officers located the daughter a short distance away. The officers’ investigation led to the arrest of Mary D. Cook, 27, of Jefferson for assault- simple misdemeanor*. At 6:46 pm a complainant reported his juvenile son had been caught at home with vaping products. The father turned over the items to the officer. The officer cited Joshua Jack Sparks, 15, for person under 21 using vape products.
Friday, May 19: At 8:36 am staff at Greene County Community Center reported a broken second story window. He had reviewed camera footage and located the event on video. The damage was estimated at $2068.97. The officer sent charges to juvenile court for a 9-year-old male for criminal mischief- second degree (Class D felony)*. At 10:24 am an officer investigated a rear end collision on Hwy 30 near Mulberry St. Lynn Odendahl of Manning was westbound driving his 2021 Chevrolet K1500. Kayleigh Fowler of Jefferson was following Odendahl, driving a 2013 Ford Fusion owned by Cassie Fowler. Odendahl slowed as the driver in front of him signaled to turn left onto Mulberry St. Fowler struck the rear of Odendahl’s vehicle. Fowler was transported by ambulance with minor injuries. She was cited for failure to stop in assured safe distance ahead and fail to wear safety belt. Damage to the vehicle she was driving was estimated at $5,000. Damage to Odendahl’s vehicle exceeded value.
Thursday, May 18: At 5:48 am a complainant reported a trespasser in the 100 block of N. Olive St. While on the property the trespasser caused damage to the front door. The trespasser had left the property when the officer arrived. As a result of the investigation warrants were requested for Jason Sheldahl of Scranton for criminal mischief- fourth degree and trespass casing damage greater than $300*. At 7:59 am a complainant reported a broken vehicle window in the 500 block of W. State St. The damage was believed to have been caused overnight. The officer is investigating. *****As a result of an investigation started 5/14, an officer requested an arrest warrant for Alexis Hannah Free of Bayard on a charge of burglary- third degree, motor vehicle*.
Wednesday, May 17: At 9 am a complainant reported several construction tools stolen in the past two weeks from a project in the 600 block of N. Locust St. The missing tools are valued at $750.
Tuesday, May 16: At 12:59 am an officer noticed a broken window on the building at the former Dairy Queen. The owner was contacted and advised. At 9:20 am dispatch was advised of an open line 911 call mapping on the bike trail south of Wilcox Way. The officer drove the bike trail and checked the streets in the area but did not locate anyone needing assistance. At 9:58 am an officer assisted the code enforcement officer with a civil action in the 200 block of S. Oak St. At 10:26 am an officer assisted the code enforcement officer with a civil action in the 800 block of W. Washington St. At 11:38 am an officer met a resident at the animal shelter. He had located two stray dogs south of Jefferson. The officer placed them in the shelter. At 3:12 pm an officer placed a dog in the animal shelter. The dog was left alone in a residence after its owner was transported by ambulance to the medical center. At 3:38 pm a mother reported her son had been assaulted at school by another student. The officer is seeking further information from the school.
Monday, May 15: At 10:10 am a complainant reported the theft of a purse from her vehicle at Wild Rose Casino. The officer has a suspect from the video and is investigating. At 4:16 pm an officer investigated a collision at Elm St and W. Lincoln Way. Carrie Stein of Jefferson was stopped in the left southbound lane. Caeden Keenan of Jefferson was stopped in the right southbound lane. Keenan attempted to turn left, struck Stein’s vehicle, and left the scene. The officer later located Keenan’s vehicle at a residence in the 200 block of N. Olive St. Keenan admitted to being involved in the accident and leaving the area. He was cited for turning from improper lane and fail to report accident. Damage to his vehicle was not noted in the accident report. Damage to Stein’s 2010 Toyota Sienna was estimated at $1,500.
Sunday, May 14: At 2:47 pm a traffic stop in the 300 block of W. Russell St. resulted in a juvenile receiving a citation for violation of conditions of a restricted license.
Saturday, May 13: Routine activity reported.
Friday, May 12: At 2:56 pm an officer was called to a residence in the 600 block of W. Harrison St. in regard to criminal mischief (broken windows). The officer is investigating. At 5:38 pm an officer was called to a business in the 200 block of N. Chestnut St in regard to criminal mischief (broken window). The officer is investigating.
Thursday, May 11: At 2:42 am an officer received information about several juveniles driving carelessly in the area of Wall St. and Grimmel Rd. The officer identified possible drivers and advised their parents of the situation. At 3:03 pm an officer was advised of a property damage collision that occurred on private property in the 600 block of E. Hwy. The officer determined that the damage did meet state criteria to be reportable. At 6:22 pm an officer was advised of two dogs running at large in the 300 block of N. Elm St. The officer subsequently caught the dogs and took them to the animal shelter.
Wednesday, May 10: At 8:11 am an officer spotted a wanted male walking near Oak St. and W. Lincoln Way. The officer arrested Joe Edward Blackmon, 47, of Grand Junction on an outstanding Greene County arrest warrant on a charge of possession of methamphetamine*. At 10:10 am a complainant reported a local business defrauded him when he cashed in a lottery ticket. The officer is investigating. At 2:31 pm an officer performed a traffic stop with a driver W. Clark St and N. Grimmell Rd after noticing a driver for whom there was an outstanding Jefferson arrest warrant. The officer arrested Mathew James Cummings, 36, of Jefferson for theft*. At 6:49 pm Teresa Ford of Jefferson turned her 2013 Chevrolet Malibu left from Lincoln Way onto S. Elm St but struck a young male on his bicycle in the crosswalk. The juvenile was checked out by Greene County Ambulance but not transported. Ford was cited for fail to yield upon left turn.
Tuesday, May 9: At 1:57 pm staff at Greene County Middle School reported criminal mischief to a restroom. A student broke a water line to a urinal. The officer will follow up with charges in the near future. At 5:13 pm a complainant reported a stray dog at Linduska Field. The officer placed the dog in the animal shelter. At 8:34 pm a complainant reported youngsters climbing on the light posts on the courthouse square. The officer located the children and spoke to them. There was no danger. At 9:49 pm a complainant reported a deer in the roadway near Westwood Dr and Deer Run. The officer removed the animal from the roadway.
Monday, May 8: At 9:19 am at the request of the Des Moines Airport approach control, an officer was dispatched to the Jefferson Municipal Airport to check if an airplane had arrived. The officer located the airplane and advised the Des Moines airport. At 11:05 am a manager at HyVee spoke with an officer in reference to an insufficient funds check the store had received. The officer is investigating. At 3:50 pm an officer received a report of an assault having occurred at Greene County Middle School involving minors. The officer is investigating. At 4:19 pm a complainant reported a stray dog in the 900 block of N. Pinet St. The officer picked up the dog and took it to the animal shelter. At 7:10 pm Emma Lank of Jefferson reported having been involved in a motor vehicle accident with a moped at the intersection of N. Locust and E. Washington Sts. The Jefferson police department, Jefferson fire and Greene County Ambulance were dispatched to the scene. The officer’s investigation showed that Emma Lank was westbound on Washington St driving a 2006 Nissan Altima owned by Jacob Eischeid. A juvenile male was southbound on Locust operating a 2011 Bronco moped owned by Darin Rothfus. The juvenile failed to yield as posted and the two entered the intersection at the same time. The juvenile was transported by ambulance to Greene County Medical Center. Damage to the moped was estimated at $3,000. Damage to the vehicle Lank was driving was estimated at $4,000. At 9:20 pm an employee at Sparky’s One Stop reported a suspected shoplifter had just left the business on a bicycle. The officer responded but did not locate the subject on the bicycle. The officer is investigating.
Sunday, May 7: At 2:07 am an officer preformed a traffic stop near the intersection of W. Central Ave and N. Oak St. As a result of the traffic stop and investigation, Todd Geisler of Jefferson was arrested for operating while intoxicated- first offense (serious misdemeanor)*.
Saturday, May 6: At 11:19 pm while on patrol an officer observed a female for whom he knew there were active Greene County arrest warrants. As a result of further investigation, Audrie Lawrence of Jefferson was placed under arrest for the active warrants for violation of pretrial release and failure to appear on charges of unauthorized use of a credit card, possession of a controlled substance- second offense, and theft- fifth degree*.
Friday, May 5: At 7:44 am a complainant reported a suspected burglary of a residence in the 500 block of W. Harrison St. The officer is investigating. At 1:37 pm a complainant reported a stray dog in the 500 block of S. Oak St. The officer picked up the dog and took it to the animal shelter. At 4:17 pm an officer responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at the intersection of W. Monroe and S. High Sts. Amber Vance was westbound on Monroe driving 2002 Honda Pilot. Ashley Spaulding was southbound on High St driving a 2011 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. Spaulding’s vehicle struck the passenger side rear tire on Vance’s vehicle. Vance was cited for failure to yield to vehicle on right. Damage to her vehicle was estimated at $7,000. Damage to Spaulding’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000. At 6:24 pm a resident reported having caught a stray dog in the 700 block of S. Elm St. The officer picked up the dog and took it to the animal shelter. At 8:27 pm a complainant reported harassment occurring in the 500 block of N. Chestnut St. The officer is investigating. At 9:43 pm a complainant reported a minor driving without a valid license in the 200 block of W. McKinley St. The officer located the vehicle and cited the minor driver for violation of instruction permit limitation.
Thursday, May 4: Routine activity reported.
Wednesday, May 3: At 4:15 pm a complainant reported a small garage window had been broken out at a residence in the 300 block of S. Pinet St. The officer could not determine how old the damage was. At 6:34 pm a complainant advised his son had a pair of sunglasses come up missing while at the Greene County Community Center. His son had located another juvenile wearing the glasses. The other child’s father reportedly made threats against the complainant as the glasses were returned. The officer is investigating.
Tuesday, May 2: At 4:15 pm staff at Greene County Medical Center turned over a small bag of suspected marijuana located at the facility. The officer will destroy the item.
Monday, May 1: At 3:40 pm a caller advised of juvenile males breaking out windows of the old middle school building at 203 W. Harrison St. The officer found 21 double pane windows were broken out on the building. Several witnesses provided the names of those involved. The officer is working to contact parents for those involved to move forward with criminal mischief charges. The building is still owned by the Greene County Community School District. Damages are approximately $8,000. The juveniles are also named as involved in the other broken windows in Jefferson recently. The investigation continues. At 3:53 pm a mother reported her neighbor says “hello” to her daughter at the bus stop and said it frightens her daughter. The mother requested the neighbor be told to end the kind gesture.
*All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
