Polk City
CRIME & SAFETY
Dallas Center man allegedly fights neighbors on July Fourth
A Dallas Center man was arrested early Friday after allegedly assaulting and harassing the folks next door. Christopher Daniel Sorensen Jr., 34, of 521 Sycamore St., Dallas Center, was arrested for third-degree harassment and assault-place in fear of contact. The incident began about 1:30 a.m. Friday in the 500 block...
Wisconsin fugitive wanted for 30 years arrested in West Des Moines
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — A fugitive wanted for three decades out of Wisconsin was captured in West Des Moines last week. West Des Moines Police arrested George Hartleroad on June 26. He was homeless and living near the Valley Junction area. Court records show officers stopped him for having no rear reflector on his bicycle.
Norwalk woman pleads guilty in murder of her newborn, left to die in trash bag
A Norwalk woman accused of helping her father place her neglected newborn baby in a trash bag, where he was left to die in a roadside ditch, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Norwalk police arrested Megan K. Staude, 26, and father, Rodney A. Staude, 66, in March 2023 and...
Des Moines fireworks-related complaints increased from 2023, police say
DES MOINES, Iowa — Police in Des Moines responded to just over 10% more fireworks-related complaints over the first few days of July in 2024 than the same period last year. Sgt. Paul Parizek the Public Information Officer for the Des Moines Police Department said officers responded to 721 fireworks-related complaints between 6 p.m. on […]
Des Moines PD Activate Special Fireworks Response Unit
(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines Police Department is putting a half dozen officers on fireworks duty this Independence Day holiday. Police Spokesperson Sergeant Paul Parezik says the officers will focus on parks, which have sustained thousands of dollars in fireworks damage over the past few years. Each year...
Phillips 66 convenience store in Ames robbed by employee, police say
An Ames man has been arrested after police say he robbed the convenience store at which he is employed. According to a criminal complaint, 42-year-old Antonio Cartez Evans has been charged with First-Degree Robbery, a class “B” felony, and First-Degree Harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor. The complaint states that...
Police investigating two robberies at Des Moines gas station
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Police Department is investigating two separate robberies at the Git N Go on Keosauqua Way. Both were reported in the last week. The first incident happened on Saturday, June 29. According to investigators, a worker reported a suspect armed with a knife and a handgun. Police say one person ran from officers and was detained, but they were not charged in the robbery.
Former treasurer of Ankeny Professional Firefighters union charged with theft for embezzling funds
ANKENY, Iowa — An Ankeny firefighter faces first-degree theft charges for allegedly embezzling more than $72,000 from the Ankeny Professional Firefighters Local 4814 union. According to court documents, Zach Farrell was the union's treasurer from 2020 to May 2024. A month later, in June, an investigation began. "We were...
Iowa horse jockey facing animal neglect charges
DES MOINES, Iowa — "I'm a horse lover through and through. It's all I do," said Ramsey Zimmerman, who is charged with livestock neglect. That's why he calls the charge against him "a preposterous claim." According to a criminal complaint, his horse, Bruce, was severely underweight and not properly...
Dallas County Sheriff’s Report July 5
To view a log of the calls for service, click here. Wyatt Orr, 35, of 23007 230th St., Dallas Center, was arrested for second-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree theft and assault on persons in certain occupations. Carroll Snyder of Adel was traveling in the 28000 block of I Avenue...
KCCI Investigates: Waukee mom says to advocate for your children in swim lessons as swim schools grow in central Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa — For the first time in decades, the Center for Disease Control reports drowning deaths are increasing across the country: 500 more per year 2020 through 2022. Drowning is preventable, water safety experts said, but remains the No. 1 cause of death in kids ages 1...
Ex-Grundy County firefighter gets prison for multiple arsons, domestic abuse
A former rural Iowa firefighter has been sentenced to up to 25 years in prison after admitting to lighting several fires he later helped combat. Kendall Rhoads, 61, lived in Grundy Center and had served six years on the fire department in nearby Holland, according to investigators. Prosecutors alleged that from April to September 2023, Rhoads started more than a dozen fires in Grundy County. Most began in ditches and spread to nearby farm fields, while others...
Stay safe from scorching surfaces at splash pads this summer
GRIMES, Iowa — A woman posted a photo on Facebook over the weekend of her granddaughter’s feet after they were burned from walking on the ground near the new splash pad in Grimes. The post warned others of the danger and said the 18-month-old had to be taken...
Homeless man charged in assault, stabbing near Des Moines park
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines police arrested a homeless man Thursday, a week after they say he was involved in an assault and stabbing that left one person hospitalized. Robert McCalley and two other suspects approached two men sitting in a vehicle at University Avenue and Keo Way — across from Good Park — on June 27, according to court records.
Dallas Center man commandeers two vehicles Wednesday
A Dallas Center man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly commandeering a passing vehicle and forcing the female driver to drive him away. Wyatt Martin Orr, 35, of 23007 230th St., Dallas Center, was charged with second-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree theft and assault on persons in certain occupations. The...
Spirit Lake man arrested after hiding, asking cops to shoot him
A Spirit Lake man was arrested Monday after trying to avoid arrest by Waukee police officers and asking them to shoot him. Keaton Robert Leach, 26, of 25045 182nd St., Spirit Lake, was charged with interference with official acts. The incident began about 5:15 p.m. Monday at a residence in...
Bouton woman allegedly assaults boyfriend at Red Carpet
A Bouton woman was arrested early Wednesday after allegedly assaulting a Bouton man in a room at the Red Carpet Motel. Alexis Gabrielle Taney, 22, of 22980 141st Dr., Bouton, was charged with first-offense domestic abuse assault-bodily injury or mental illness. The incident began about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday in the...
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