Police blotter – October 2023

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

Tuesday, Oct. 31: At 12:26 am a complainant requested an officer at a residence in the 300 block of W. Reed St for a relative who was assaulting family members there.Officers arrived and spoke to the parties involved. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Joshua Parrish, 27, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault/impeding air flow (class D felony), domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury (aggravated misdemeanor) and disorderly conduct (simple misdemeanor)*. At 1:06 am an officer assisted deputies and jail staff with an unruly prisoner. At 11:28 am a complainant reported four pay laundry machines had been broken into. More than $100 in quarters had been taken, and all four machines were damaged and need repair. The officer was provided video of the event and is investigating. At 1:16 pm staff at Greene County Middle School reported one student spitting on another. The school will check with parents to see if anyone is interested in criminal charges.

Monday, Oct. 30: At 8 am a complainant reported an injured deer in his backyard in the 1200 block of S. Elm St. A conservation officer was contacted to take care of the issue. At 10:43 am a complainant reported a coin purse missing from a residence in the 400 block of S. Cedar St. At 6:13 pm officers went to a residence in the 300 block of N. High St to look for a wanted male. The subject made it out of the house and ran from the area. Officers gave chase but lost the subject. An arrest warrant has been requested for Christopher Herbert Lawrence, 43, of Jefferson for interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor)*. At 6:43 pm an officer responded to a car-deer accident on S. Grimmell Rd near the river bridge. Gail Sayre of Jefferson was northbound on Grimmell when a deer jumped in front of her 2014 Ford Edge. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,400.

Sunday, Oct. 29: Routine activity reported.

Saturday, Oct. 28: At 12:32 am the Dallas County sheriff’s office advised a vehicle was involved in a hit & run accident in Perry. The vehicle was registered in Jefferson. The officer spotted the vehicle pulling into ER and spoke to the driver. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Travis Ray Dawson, 28, of Farnhamville for operating while intoxicated*. At 10:38 am an officer was at a residence in the 300 block of N. High St looking for a wanted male. He was advised the subject was in the shower and spoke with him through the door. After a period of time passed and the subject did not open the bathroom door, the officer learned the subject had fled through the bathroom window. The officer searched other residences where the subject stays, but did not locate him.

Friday, Oct. 27: At 10:23 am a subject advised of a parking complaint in the 400 block of N. Oak St. A vehicle had been parked on the street for several days, without moving. The officer spoke to the residents and learned they are new to town. He explained several pertinent ordinances to them. The vehicle was moved. At 11:52 am a resident found a stray kitten in the 300 block of W. Lincoln Way. The officer placed the cat in the animal shelter. At 2:18 pm staff at Greene County High School reported they had been advised by a student that a fight between two male juveniles was going to take place. One subject was reported to be bringing a knife to the fight. Staff spoke to those involved and the student turned over the knife to school officials. The school is handling punishment for the event.

Thursday, Oct. 26: At 5:22 pm officers were assisted by a deputy and Iowa State Patrol officer in executing a search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of N. High St. The officers were searching for reported stolen property. Suspected stolen items, prescription medications, and drug paraphernalia were seized. The investigation continues.

Wednesday, Oct. 25: At 5:30 am a caller requested an officer at a residence in the 400 block of N. Olive St for a possible suicidal juvenile. The subject was transferred by the officer to the emergency room for an evaluation. At 8:30 am an officer responded to a car-deer accident on Hwy 4 near 250th St south of Jefferson. Kayla Frederick of Bagley was northbound driving a 2011 Toyota Camry owned by Jodi Frederick when a deer ran in front of the vehicle. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,000. At 2:16 pm staff at Greene County High School requested officers for a male student who was threatening to harm himself and others. Deputies arrived to assist the officer. A parent was contacted and the student was taken by the officer to ER to be evaluated. At 3:47 pm road construction workers near Elm St and Hwy 30 reported a driver had ignored all signs and personnel and driven through the construction zone and entered the Wild Rose Casino parking lot. The officer located the subject in the casino and spoke to her about the complaint. Charges are pending in the matter. At 2:22 pm a complainant reported receiving a phone call from a male who has been warned by officers not to call. The officer is investigating. At 7:02 pm the owner of Washing Well laundromat reported a subject sleeping overnight there. The officer is investigating.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: At 11:03 am staff at the Greene County Medical Center ER advised of a cat bite victim at the facility. The officer later spoke with the subject, who advised he was holding his mother’s cat when a dog spooked the animal. It had scratched and bit his arms. The animal was placed in a 10-day quarantine, per state law. The owner of the animals was given a time period to become compliant with animal licensing. The cat was provoked into the bite, so animal ordinances do not apply. At 1:08 pm a complainant reported his neighbor’s tree in the 200 block of S. Olive St was resting on the power line. The officer advised him to contact Alliant Energy. At 7:30 pm a complainant reported catching a stray dog in the 200 block of N. Cedar St. The officer placed the dog in the pound. At 10:50 pm an officer assisted a deputy with an OWI traffic stop near N. Elm and Stanford St. The deputy will handle charges.

Monday, Oct. 23: At 9:08 am an officer was advised of a female subject sleeping in her vehicle in the 600 block of E. Adams St. The officer conduced a welfare check on the female and learned she had an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear. The officer conducted a consent search of the vehicle and located drug paraphernalia inside. Merissa Shawnay Olson, 33, of Jefferson was arrested for the warrant and was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)*. At 9:41 am a complainant reported a scam call. The subject advised him he had won a vehicle, but needed to purchase gift cards and send them before he could claim the prize. The complainant did not incur a loss, as he recognized it as a scam. At 12:59 pm a complainant reported an upstairs window at a residence in the 600 block of S. Vine St appeared to have been shot with a BB gun. The officer believed it had been shot. The complainant was unsure when this could have occurred.

Sunday, Oct. 22: At 1:06 pm a complainant reported an older female juvenile had taken her grandchildren’s football at Washington Park and was refusing to give it back. She also had witnessed the juvenile assault her younger sister. The officer spoke to the parents of the juveniles and advised them he was contacting DHS about the incident.

Saturday, Oct. 21: At 10:26 pm a complainant reported three chickens running in the area of E. Clark and N. Chestnut Sts. The officer did not locate the reported birds.

Friday, Oct. 20: At 4:51 am an officer investigated a reported domestic abuse assault at a residence in the 100 block of N. Grimmell Rd. Charges are pending. At 10:04 am a caller advised of an abandoned bicycle in the 600 block of S. Cedar St. The officer placed the bike in Impound. At 1:06 pm a complainant reported a cow in the roadway in the 1300 block of S. Elm St. The owner was contacted and the cow made it back home. At 4:34 pm an officer assisted Greene County Ambulance with a medical call in the 400 block of E. Lincoln Way. After he received medical attention, an officer arrested William Wesley Bingle, 56, of Jefferson for public intoxication (simple misdemeanor)*. At 9:07 pm deputies and officers  performed a consent search at a garage in the 500 block of S. Olive St. More items were seized in connection to the burglary involving coins.

Thursday, Oct. 19: At 8:16 am a complainant caught a stray dog in the 400 block of Edgewood Dr. The officer placed the dog in the pound. At 3:13 pm officers and deputies executed a second search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of S. Locust St after the victim of a burglary reported tools stolen tools from a residence in the 400 block of S. Olive St. A second warrant was also executed at a storage unit in the 1500 Block of N. Elm St. Items were seized from both locations consistent with reported missing tools. At 5:13 pm a complainant reported the theft of prescription medications from a residence in the 500 block of N. Wilson Ave. The investigation led to the arrest of Marlene Elenor Anderson, 54, of Jefferson for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor) and unlawful possession of prescription drug (serious misdemeanor)*.

Wednesday, Oct. 18: At 1:22 am staff at Greene County Medical Center emergency department advised of a cat bite which had occurred in Jefferson. The officer is working to gather information from the subject who was bitten. At 12 pm the sheriff took a report from a Grand Junction resident about a burglary that had occurred around 10/13 at a residence in the 400 block of S. Olive St in Jefferson. It was reported that $250,000 in gold/silver coins, proof sets, gold/silver Bars, cash and jewelry had been taken from the residence. The sheriff’s office and Jefferson PD worked together on the investigation. At about 2:58 pm, a suspected vehicle was located in the 300 block of S. Locust St. Deputies and officers sat on the vehicle until the suspects walked from an area residence to the truck. An officer arrested Bryce Randal Delaney, 46, of Jefferson and charged him with theft- first degree (Class C felony)*. At about 4:10 pm, deputies and officers were granted verbal consent from the property owner to search the common areas of the residence in the 300 block of S. Locust St. Numerous stolen coins and jewelry were located in the residence. Officers secured a search warrant for the basement of the residence and a camper Delaney had been staying in. At about 9:36 pm, the search warrant was executed on the basement of the residence and the camper. A large amount of the stolen property was recovered during the execution of the search warrants. Items of meth/marijuana and paraphernalia were also seized. At about 11:01 pm, a second search warrant was executed on a storage unit in the 1500 block of N. Elm St. Additional items were seized from the unit. More criminal charges are expected upon the completion of the investigation.

Tuesday, Oct. 17: At 8:09 ama caller advised of a stray dog in the 300 block of Edgewood. The officer did not locate the animal. At 12:14 pm an officer investigated a collision at W. Lincoln Way and Elm St. Will Bryant of Arkansas was northbound on Elm driving a 2023 Ford Expedition owned by Enterprise Rental. Kim Tasler of Jefferson was eastbound on Lincoln Way driving his 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. Tasler stopped as posted and proceeded into the intersection. Bryant failed to yield and left his stop sign, striking Tasler’s vehicle. Bryant was cited for failure to obey stop sing. Damage to each vehicle was estimated at $2,000. At 1:06 pm an officer investigated a collision at N. Elm and W. Central Ave. Carlotta Wilde of Jefferson was stopped on Central operating her 2020 Honda CRV. She left the stop sign and attempted to go north on Elm, but struck a passing 2000 Ford F250 pickup truck owned and operated by Kristin Lentz of Jefferson. Wilde was cited for failure to obey stop sign. Damage to each of the vehicles was estimated at $1,000. At 3:57 pm a complainant reported a subject riding a four-wheeler on the roadway near Sunset and Riverside Dr. City ordinance prohibits the use of an ATV on the roadways in Jefferson. The officer checked the area, but did not locate the reported vehicle. At 5:47 pm staff at the medical center emergency room advised of a dog bite victim there. Officers arrived and investigated the event. No animal ordinances were violated, as the animal was provoked. At 6:35 pm officers were at a residence in the 200 block of N. High St checking for a wanted subject when an officer saw a couple attempting to sneak out of the residence. The officers placed the subjects into custody, as there was an active protective order in effect. During the arrest, officers located smoking devices and green leafy substances on the subjects. Audrie Lawrence, 23, of Jefferson was charged with violation of protective order and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanors) and possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor)*. Kyle Dean Rysavy, 24, of Jefferson was charged with violation of protective order and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanors) and possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor)*.

Monday, Oct. 16: At 8:52 am a complainant reported a Facebook scam. She had sent money through a cash app to make a purchase. After sending the funds, all accounts associated had been deleted. She was advised to report it to Facebook. At 11:04 am an officer investigated a collision at S. Locust and E. Madison Sts. Nichole Renshaw of Scranton was southbound on Locust driving a 2014 Ford Explorer owned by Dick Janssen. Jennifer Bainbridge of Jefferson was westbound on Madison driving a 2015 Honda Civic owned by Tom Ganoe. Bainbridge failed to yield at the uncontrolled intersection and the vehicles collided in the intersection. Bainbridge was cited for fail to yield to the right. Damage to each vehicle was estimated at $1,500. At 2:56 pm a caller advised of three stray dogs in the 1000 block of N. Cedar St. The officer located a subject in the area, who advised they belong to her and had gotten loose for a short period. At 6:28 pm an officer assisted a deputy with an arrest in the 100 block of N. Olive St.

Sunday, Oct. 15: At 7:09 pm a complainant reported a suspected burglary at J & K Redemption in the 200 block of E. Lincoln Way. The officer is investigating.

Saturday, Oct. 14: At 11:14 am a complainant reported a two-vehicle accident having occurred in the parking lot for 102 S. Grimmell Rd. An officer responded and found a 2013 Toyota Tacoma was legally parked and sitting stationary occupied by one subject. Jessica Collins attempted to park a 2016 Jeep Patriot in a parking space on the passenger side of the Tacoma and struck the rear passenger side corner of it in the process. The investigation led to the arrest of Jessica Collins for operating while intoxicated*. Damage to each vehicle was estimated at $1,500. Approximately $1500 in damage was caused to both vehicles. At 2:12 pm an officer assisted Greene County Ambulance staff with an inmate having medical issues at the Greene County jail.

Friday, Oct. 13: At 7:43 am while on patrol, an officer noticed a male for whom he there were active Greene County arrest warrants. The officer made contact with the male. As a result of the investigation, Christopher Quirk was placed under arrest for the original charges of two counts of forgery (class D felony) theft- third degree against older individuals, and identify theft*. At 8:30 am an officer assisted Greene County Ambulance staff with an inmate at the Greene County jail having a medical issue. At 11:52 am staff at Greene County High School reported the smell of what was believed to be marijuana coming from one of the restrooms. An officer responded and investigated. No marijuana was located. At 12:32 pm an officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of E. Russell St for two stray dogs running loose. While attempting to catch the dogs, one was aggressive. While attempting to bring the animals to the pound, the same dog was continually trying to bite those around it. The owners were contacted and would not come to take possession of the two animals. A third party was eventually found who could handle the dog. As a result of the situation, one of the two dogs was deemed to be vicious and removed from the city limits by its owners, Alicia Hawkins and Royce Gonnelly. Hawkins was issued citations for violation of annual animal license requirement,  tag not secured to animal (two counts), and animals running at large (two counts)*. At 6:13 pm Sara Miller reported a two-vehicle accident having occurred at the intersection of Hwys 30 and 4. No one was reported to have been injured due to the accident. As a result of the accident,Viatcheslav Zakjevskii arrested for operating while intoxicated*. He was also cited for failure to provide proof of financial liability, failure to obey stop sign, and failure to yield right of way. Sara Miller was cited for failure to provide proof of financial liability.

Thursday, Oct. 12: At 10:08 am a Greene County Medical Center employee requested to speak with an officer in reference to a former employee who had continued to return to the property without cause. The officer spoke with the former employee and they were told to not return to the property unless for a medical issue or appointment. At 4:43 pm a caller from Colorado asked to speak with a city officer in reference to an online fraud involving a person claiming to be based out of Jefferson. The officer answered the callers’ questions and referred her to her local authorities for further action.

Wednesday, Oct. 11: At 9:45 am a complainant reported his camper had been damaged overnight in the 700 block of S. Wilson Ave. The officer is investigating. At 11:24 am a complainant reported a stray dog running loose in the 400 block of S. Chestnut St. At 2:03 pm a complainant reported a collapsed manhole cover at the intersection of Cedar St and Lincoln Way. The officer provided traffic control until the city streets department arrived and repaired the cover. At 5:28 pm a complainant reported a stray dog in the 400 block of N. Chestnut St needing to be taken to the city pound. The officer took the dog to the pound. At 10:07 pm a complainant reported a stray dog running loose in the 700 block of Rushview Dr. An officer picked up the dog and took it to the city pound.

Tuesday, Oct. 10: At 11:52 am a complainant reported a person had been using his debit card without his permission. The officer is investigating. At 7:27 pm a complainant reported an assault having occurred in the 800 block of W. Washington St. As a result of the investigation, Nathan Hubbs, 18, was arrested for domestic abuse assault impeding airway*.

Monday, Oct. 9: At 2:40 am an officer performed a traffic stop near the intersection of E. Clark and N. Chestnut Sts. During the traffic stop, several suspected narcotics related items were collected into evidence. The officer is investigating. At 8:03 am while on patrol an officer located a stray dog running loose near the intersection of S. Elm and W. Harrison Sts. The officer caught the white Husky and took it to Impound. At 8:33 am a mother requested assistance with an unruly child who did not want to go to school. The officer assisted in getting the child to school. At 4:10 pm an officer responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at the intersection of N. Vine and W. Washington Sts. Ethan Coil was southbound on Vine driving a 1997 Dodge Ram pickup truck. He stopped as posted and proceeded into the intersection, striking an eastbound 2020 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Kimberly West. Coil struck the Pacifica broadside. There were no injuries. Coil admitted he was looking at a text message while driving before the collision. He was cited for failure to yield upon entering through highway and use of electronic communication device while driving. Damage to the pickup was estimated at $500. Damage to West’s vehicle was estimated at $15,000.

Sunday, Oct. 8: At 8:59 am a complainant reported graffiti on a building he owns in the 100 block of E. Lincoln Way. The officer estimated it would cost $100 to remove the spray paint.

Saturday, Oct. 7: At 2:20 pm a complainant reported he had been assaulted by another male in the 100 block of E. Lincoln Way. The officer is investigating. At 6:55 pm a complainant reported a stray dog needing to be picked up in the 900 block of S. Elm St. The officer took the dog to Impound. At 8:58 pm an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of N. Olive St for a fire in a fire pit. The officer informed those involved of Greene County being under a burn ban. The fire was extinguished. At 10:28 pm staff at Wild Rose Casino reported a possibly intoxicated male in a running vehicle in the parking lot. As a result of the investigation, Paul Danile Morgan was arrested and charged with operating under the influence and possession or carrying dangerous weapon while under the influence*. At 11:55 pm staff at Greene County Medical Center reported a person being treated for an animal bite. The person refused to provide information to the officer regarding the bite.

Friday, Oct. 6: At 6:21 am a complainant reported a stray dog to be picked up in the 300 block of S. Vine St. The officer took the black Lab puppy to Impound. At 7:52 am a complainant reported a stray dog needing to be picked up in the 300 block of N. Pinet St. The officer took the dog to Impound. At 08:59 am the officer took a report of possible assault in the 400 block of E. State St. The officer is investigating. At 1:12 pm a complainant reported two stray dogs running loose near the intersection of E. Madison and S. Olive Sts. The officer did not locate the dogs. At 1:41 pm a complainant reported a stray dog caught in the 1000 block of N. Pinet St. The officer placed the dog in Impound. At 9:02 pm an officer attempted to perform a traffic stop near the intersection of S. Elm and W. Russell St. The driver did not yield and a short pursuit began. The driver stopped at a residence in the 1600 block of Neola Ave. As a result, Dana Mark Johns was place under arrest and charged with driving while under the influence- second offense, eluding, possession of marijuana- second offense, possession of methamphetamine- second offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia.*

Thursday, Oct. 5: At 12:40 pm a complainant reported two stray dogs near Russell Park. The officer did not locate the reported animals. At 12:49 pm a complainant reported a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of Russell St. The officer arrested Royce Gonnelly, 32, of Jefferson for driving while license revoked (serious misdemeanor)* . The officer had the vehicle towed to Impound. While conducting an inventory of the vehicle, the officer located an unmarked bottle of prescription meds. The pills were seized for testing, with charges pending results. At 2:01 pm a caller advised of an open burn at a residence in the 200 block of N. Maple St. The officer arrived and noticed furniture was being burned in the pile. The fire was extinguished and the subject was advised only yard waste can be burnt, after the burn ban is lifted. At 3:43 pm an officer investigated a collision at N. Elm and Central Ave. A 2006 Peterbilt semi-tractor and grain trailer, owned by New Coop Inc, and operated by Riley Rittgers of Paton, was stopped on Central at the posted stop sign. Rittgers advised he backed up to allow another vehicle more room to make the turn. He backed into a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, owned and operated by Deonne Robey of Jefferson. The Robey vehicle suffered a reported $10,000.00 in damages. The semi-trailer was not damaged. Rittgers was cited for, unsafe backing upon a highway. At 6:08 pm a complainant reported juveniles in a fight at the Webb House. The officer spoke to all parties involved. The officer has sent a juvenile charge of disorderly conduct for the two male juveniles involved. *****Officers issued five street sweeping violation parking notices during the reporting period.

Wednesday, Oct. 4: At 6:18 pm a complainant reported catching two stray dogs in the 600 block of S. Maple St. She met the officer at the animal shelter and he impounded the dogs. *****After reviewing video provided by HyVee, an officer requested an arrest warrant for Michelle Cook, 24, of Jefferson for theft- fifth degree (simple misdemeanor). The video clearly showed her not scanning items at the self check-out lane at the store.

Tuesday, Oct. 3: At 10:09 pm a complainant requested officers at a residence in the 600 block of W. Monroe St. The complainant reported his roommates were smoking marijuana. The officers arrived and could smell the odor of marijuana outside of the residence. All parties agreed and signed a Permission to Search form. A deputy arrived to assist the officers with the search. Marijuana and numerous items of paraphernalia were seized for testing, with charges pending lab results. One person was arrested on an active Dallas County warrant for failure to appear on a traffic charge.

Sunday, Oct. 1: At 1:25 am an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of E. State St for an alarm activation. It was a false alarm. At 1:26 am an officer checked on the apartment for the previous entry. The occupant invited the officer inside the apartment, where the officer could smell marijuana. The subject voluntarily handed the officer items of paraphernalia and marijuana. The officer has requested arrest warrants for Logan Chase Ferguson, 21, of Jefferson for possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor) and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple)*. At 2:42 am the Dallas County sheriff’s officer reported a sex assault may have occurred in Jefferson two years ago. The officer has begun an investigation. At 8:57 am an officer assisted an Iowa State Patrol trooper with a traffic stop near Hwy 30 and Grimmell Rd. At 2:42 pm an officer investigated a backing accident in the 400 block of W. Russell St. Jamie Theulen of Scranton was backing his 2013 Ford F150 pickup truck from a residential drive and struck a parked 2018 Nissan Versa owned by Andrew McGinn of Jefferson. Theulen was cited for unsafe backing upon a highway. His vehicle was not damaged. Damage to the parked vehicle was estimated at $2,500. At 5:22 pm a complainant requested an officer at a residence in the 800 block of W. Harrison St. The officer’s investigation led to the arrest of Teresa Ann Johnson, 43, of Jefferson for domestic abuse assault (serious misdemeanor)*.

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

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