Police blotter – January 2023

Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Jefferson police department:

Tuesday, Jan. 31: At 9:24 am a caller advised of a careless driver on Highway 30 near Elm St. The officer spotted the vehicle in a nearby parking lot and spoke to the driver about the issue. At 1:57 pm a complainant reported receiving a scam message on Facebook. She was requested to purchase gift cards and give the subject the numbers off the cards. She did not provide any information to the subject and did not incur a loss.

Monday, Jan. 30: At 7:08 am a complainant requested an officer at a residence in the 800 block of N. Maple St for a missing female juvenile. The officer met with family members and was advised the 13-year-old daughter had last been seen around 1 am. Officers entered the juvenile as a “missing person” and began the process of attempting to locate her. At about 2:17 pm, the subject called her mother and advised her she was on her way home. Officers were given the number she had called from and called and spoke to her. She reported to be fine and heading back to Jefferson from Missouri. She arrived back at home at approximately 10:41 pm. At 6:11 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the private parking lot at Natural Wonders in the 1500 block of Westwood Dr. Kristi Burley of Jefferson was backing her 2013 Chevrolet Cruze from a parking space when she struck the front left corner of a passing 2016 Honda Civic, owned by Thomas Laehn of Jefferson and driven by Susan Laehn. Damage to Burley’s vehicle was estimated at $1,400. Damage to Laehn’s vehicle was estimated at $2,200. No citations were issued as the accident occurred on private property.

Sunday, Jan. 29: At 6:03 pm officers assisted Greene County Ambulance with a medical call in the 600 block of W. Washington St. During the assist, officers and paramedics could smell the pungent odor of marijuana inside the residence. The officer was given consent to search the residence. Several items of potential narcotics and paraphernalia were seized and taken into custody. Charges are pending lab results.  *****Officers issued 10 citations for parking- snow ordinance violations.

Saturday, Jan. 28: At 4:24 am an officer was advised of a car in the ditch near Highway 30 and Oakland Ave east of Jefferson. The driver advised there had been deer in the roadway and she ended up in the ditch, avoiding a collision. The vehicle suffered very minimal damage. At 12:09 pm a complainant reported receiving unwanted harassing text messages from a subject in Boone. The officer is investigating with charges pending at this time. At 8:46 pm an officer responded to an accident at the intersection of N. Chestnut and E. Reed Sts. Yaira Shines Ortiz Ramos of Jefferson was westbound on Reed St driving her 2011 Toyota Scion. Polly Kinsey of Jefferson was northbound on Chestnut St driving her 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. The vehicles collided in the intersection. Kinsey was cited for fail to yield to the right. Damage to her pickup truck was estimated at $300. Damage to Ortiz Ramos’s vehicle was estimated at $5,000.

Friday, Jan. 27: At 2 am a complainant reported the theft of a jump pack and $20 worth of fuel from the 200 block of E. Perry St. At 10:44 am an officer responded to a smoke alarm activation at Greene County High School. All was fine in the school and it was deemed a false alarm. At 8:57 pm a complainant reported unknown subjects had egged her residence in the 500 block of S. Wilson Ave. No lasting damage occurred. The officer is investigating.

Thursday, Jan. 26: At 10:42 am an officer was dispatched to HyVee for a report of several insufficient funds checks having been written to the store. The officer is investigating. At 1:16 pm an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of S. Olive St to check for a female for whom there was an active Greene County arrest warrant. The officer arrested Gwendolyn Kissell for a probation violation* on an original charge of possession of a marijuana. At 4:20 pm a Greene County Schools bus driver reported a vehicle had illegally passed a stopped school bus. The officer is investigating. At 5:16 pm a complainant reported seeing a deer in the 1200 block of Rush Ridge Rd that appeared to have been shot. The officer checked on the deceased animal and noticed what appeared to be a gunshot injury. Further investigation of the case was turned over to the Iowa DNR.

Wednesday, Feb. 25: At 2:14 pm a complainant reported a stray cat in the 700 block of N. Cedar St. The officer placed the cat in the animal holding facility.

Tuesday, Jan. 24: At 1:34 am an officer assisted with a suicidal subject. The subject was transported by the officer to ER. At 12:41 pm a complainant reported stray dogs in the 600 block of N. Olive St. The officer caught one of the animals and placed it in the animal holding facility. At 6:33 pm an officer began an investigation into a 17-year-old female who has been sending nude photos to a 21-year-old male. At 8:57 pm an officer took a complaint of snowmobiles being driven through a private yard in the 500 block of W. Clark St.

Monday, Jan. 23: At 9:31 am a complainant reported the unauthorized use of her debit card. The officer is investigating. At 10:16 pm staff at Wild Rose Casino requested an officer for a subject on the gaming floor who had signed self-exclusion forms. Jared Adcock of Creston was issued a summons to appear for trespass*.

Sunday, Jan. 22: At 7:17 pm a complainant reported the theft of one gallon of gas from a residence in the 700 block of W. Sunset Rd. The officer is investigating. At 9:07 pm an officer performed a traffic stop with a speeding driver. During the stop, the officer could smell the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. When advised of a probable cause search, the driver handed the officer a bag of suspected marijuana. The driver was cited for fail to carry registration card and excessive speed. Charges are pending lab results on the seized item.

Saturday, Jan. 21: At 6:40 pm an officer assisted a Greene County deputy in attempting to locate a possible intoxicated driver on Hwy 4 north of Jefferson. The vehicle was not located in Greene County. It was later learned that the vehicle was found in Webster County, and the driver had been arrested.

Friday, Jan. 20: Routine activity reported.

Thursday, Jan. 19: At 9:43 am staff at The Gardens reported two prescription medication tablets were missing. The officer is investigating. At 10:17 am officers assisted the Jefferson fire department at 405 E. State St. An electrical fire occurred in the basement. The house suffered heavy damage. At 10:28 am an officer investigated a two-vehicle accident in the 100 block of E. Washington St. While responding to the house fire firefighter Larry Rogers of Jefferson was unable to stop his personal vehicle near the fire station and it slid into another firefighter’s personal vehicle. Rogers was cited for failure to maintain control. At 3:27 pm a resident caught a stray dog near Grimmell Rd and W. Lincoln Way and requested to meet an officer at the animal holding facility. The officer knew the owner had been out looking for the dog and returned it to the owner. At 3:42 pm a complainant reported catching a stray dog in the 400 block of N. Cedar St. The officer placed the dog in the animal holding facility. At 8:04 pm a caller requested a welfare check on a possible suicidal subject in Jefferson,. The officer coaxed the subject to the emergency room to be evaluated by a medical doctor.

Wednesday, Jan. 18: At 1:28 pm a complainant reported receiving harassing text messages. The officer is investigating. At 1:32 pm a complainant reported a possible identity theft. The officer is investigating. At 6:51 pm Demedrious Lyons of Jefferson reported having been involved in a single-vehicle accident at the intersection of S. Elm and W. Russell Sts. The officer investigated and learned that Lyons was southbound on Elm St driving his 2018 Jeep Compass. He attempted to turn east onto Russell St but slid on the snow-covered roadway. His vehicle struck and damaged the traffic control pole on the southeast corner. Damage to his vehicle was estimated at $1,000. Damage to the traffic light pole was not determined at the time. Lyons was cited for failure to maintain control and failure to provide proof of financial liability- accident related. At 9:53 pm a complainant reported a tree branch in the roadway near the intersection of E. Washington and N. Olive Sts. The officer removed the branch from the roadway. *****As a result of the snowfall, six citations were issued for parking in violation of snow ordinance.

Tuesday, Jan. 17: At 7:03 am a complainant reported damage to his semi-trailer while it was parked at Sparky’s. The brake lights had been smashed out. The officer is investigating. At 5:34 pm an officer investigated an accident at N. Elm and W. Adams Sts. Dorothea Ballard of Jefferson was southbound on Elm driving her 2018 Kia Niro. Walter Ramaekers of Jefferson was westbound on Adams driving his 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. Ramaekers stopped as posted and proceeded westbound. The two vehicles collided. Witnesses advised the headlights on Ballard’s vehicle were not on, making the vehicle difficult to see in traffic. Ballard was cited for failure to use headlamps when required. Damage to her vehicle was estimated at $15,000. Damage to Raemaker’s vehicle was estimated at $400.

Monday, Jan. 16: At 8:31 pm a complainant reported the theft of a comforter valued at $100 from a washing machine at 301 W. Reed St. The officer is investigating.

Sunday, Jan. 15: At 12:21 am a traffic stop at N. Elm St and Highway 30 resulted in the driver being cited for failure to obey stop sign. During the traffic stop a probable cause search of the vehicle was performed. Suspected controlled substances were located. Charges are pending the completion of an investigation. *****As the result of an investigation initiated 12/2/2022, Eddie Simpson of Boxholm has been charged with possession of marijuana- third or subsequent offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia*. *****As the result an investigation initiated 12/3/2022, Joe Blackmon of Grand Junction has been charged with possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance- prescription, unlawful possession of a prescription drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia*. *****As a result of an investigation initiated 12/3/2022, Nikki Henderson of Jefferson has been charged with possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance- prescription, unlawful possession of a prescription drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia*.

Saturday, Jan. 14: Routine activity reported.

Friday, Jan. 13: Routine activity reported.

Thursday, Jan. 12: At 8 am an officer assisted a deputy in locating sparking powerlines south of Jefferson on Hwy 4.

Wednesday, Jan. 11: At 12:14 am an officer assisted a deputy with an OWI traffic stop on Highway 4 near 185th St. At 11:05 am an officer assisted the county attorney’s office in locating a subject who had a court subpoena but had not arrived at the courthouse. At 11:42 am officers assisted the Jefferson fire department with a garage fire at 701 N. Cedar St. The garage was severely damaged. At 5:04 pm a complainant reported unauthorized activity on his debit card. The officer is investigating.

Tuesday, Jan. 10: At 3:38 pm an officer was made aware of possible controlled substance violations involving a juvenile. The officer is investigating.

Monday, Jan. 9: At 10:30 am staff at Dollar General reported a recent shoplifting event. The officer’s investigation led to juvenile charges for a 14-year-old female for theft- fifth degree*. At 7:31 pm an officer was requested at a residence in the 300 block of E. Monroe St to speak with parents of a missing juvenile. The juvenile left a few days earlier after a fight with his father. Law enforcement is looking for the juvenile. At 9:07 pm a suicide hotline advised an officer of a juvenile male who wished to harm himself in Jefferson. The officer spoke with the youth and transported him to the ER to be evaluated by medical professionals.

Sunday, Jan. 8: At 1:43 am an officer was requested at a residence in the 300 block of W. South St for a possible harassment issue. During the interaction, the female victim advised the officer of a recent assault to her by her boyfriend. The officer is continuing to investigate the matter, with charges pending.

Saturday, Jan. 7: At 12:48 pm an officer responded to a residence in the 600 block of S. Olive St in regard to a theft. The officer is investigating. At 1:54 pm an officer responded to a residence in the 300 block of E. Lincoln Way in regard to a juvenile who was “out of control.” The officer subsequently charged a juvenile female with criminal mischief- fifth degree*. At 5:21 pm an officer responded to the 300 block of N. Wilson Ave in regard to possible controlled substance violations. The officer is investigating. At 7:47 pm an officer responded to a residence in the 100 block of S. Maple St in regard to a harassment situation. The officer is investigating.

Friday, Jan. 6: At 7:58 pm an officer took a criminal mischief complaint in the 500 block of W. State St. The officer is investigating.

Thursday, Jan. 5: *****Officers issued eight snow parking violations during the reporting period.

Wednesday, Jan. 4: At 2:30 pm a resident  requested a welfare check on a subject in the 300 block of S. Wilson Ave. The officers found the subject deceased in the apartment and assisted with the death scene Investigation.

Tuesday, Jan. 3: At 9:22 am staff at Dollar General reported a shoplifting Incident at the store. The officer is investigating. At 10:19 am a complainant reported the theft of prescription medication from the 100 block of W. Lincoln Way. The officer is investigating. At 3:01 pm an officer investigated an accident in the 500 block of S. Locust St. Wendell Hoskins of Jefferson was operating his 2014 Chevrolet Impala southbound when, due to a medical episode, he struck parked 2015 Buick Regal owned by Joshua Peterson of Rockwell. Hoskins was cited for failure to maintain control. Damage to the vehicles was estimated at $5,000 each.

Monday, Jan. 2: At 2:58 pm an officer was advised of a dog running at large in the 900 block of W. Adams St. The officer transported the dog to the animal holding facility. At 2:58 pm an officer was advised of a dog running at large in the 1600 block of Westwood Dr. The officer transported the dog to the animal holding facility. At 3:17 pm an officer was advised of a possible intoxicated driver in the 500 block of N. Elm St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Devin Villalobos of Jefferson for operating while intoxicated*. At 5:37 pm an officer was advised of a theft that took place in the 600 block of Hwy 30 East. The officer is investigating.

Sunday, Jan. 1: At 10:51 pm an officer was called to Wild Rose Casino in regard to a subject using a fictitious identification. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Wilson Agustin-Salvador of Perry for possession of fictitious license, ID card, or form and providing false identification information*.

*All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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