In an update to our story at 7-a.m., the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says a man and woman were arrested early this (Thursday) morning following the pursuit of a stolen1995 Ford Ranger pickup. Officials say at around 1:30-a.m., Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop the pickup in the 400 block of Linden Street, in Red Oak. The truck, which had been reported stolen, was occupied by 33-year old Jacob Allen Cochran, of Red Oak, and 24-year old Storm Louise Armstrong, of Corning.

Cochran was driving the pickup, and authorities say he tried to elude law enforcement. The pursuit ended, and the suspects were taken into custody, just before 2-a.m. at 110th Street and Spruce Avenue in Montgomery County. During the chase, Cass County Deputy Ryan Johnson was laying down stop sticks, when Cochran allegedly tried to run over Johnson, and a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy. He was subsequently charged with Assault on a Peace Officer with intent to inflict serious injury.

Cochran faces additional charges of Felony eluding, driving while revoked, theft of a motor vehicle, OWI/2nd offense (drug-related), reckless driving, and providing contraband (Methamphetamine) into a jail facility. His bond was set at $5,000. Armstrong faces a charge of Interference with official acts. Her bond was set at $300.

Assisting in the chase and apprehension of the suspects was officers with the Red Oak Police Dept., the Red Oak Police and Cass County K-9 units, and Cass County Sheriff’s Department.

Some Iowans who had damage in last week’s severe storms still haven’t had a visit from their insurance adjustor, in part, because so many claims were filed over a wide area. The storms brought winds up to 95-miles an hour, heavy rain, large hail and flash flooding. Jim Hegerty, with the Better Business Bureau, says on a positive note, there are very few reports of repair scammers trying to dupe Iowans. “Fortunately, this time, it hasn’t been too bad,” Hegerty says. “I think because the storm skirted the metro and hit a less populated area, I’m not sure that it’s attracting the storm chasers.”

Parts of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area were pelted with baseball-sized hail, but the heavier wind and flood damage came in several rural counties in both eastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. Hegerty says people who had damage to their homes, farmsteads and businesses still need to be on the lookout for con artists.  “We’ve been issuing warnings pretty consistently since last week that you should really be careful,” Hegerty says. “Take a breath, take your time, make the emergency repairs that you need to make and then be really thoughtful about your repair process. Get a few estimates. Make sure you check out the contractors with the bureau.”

He says get everything in writing, never pay up front and avoid contractors who knock on your door and say they want to work for cash.

(Radio Iowa)

Two former Adair County roads workers who sold county scrap metal to fund Christmas parties and retirement gifts have been sentenced to probation. According to the Omaha World-Herald, both Duane Jameson, the former roads supervisor, and Cindy Butcher, the former shop clerk, also received suspended two-year prison sentences Tuesday. Jameson received three years of probation, Butcher two. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office says if they successfully complete probation, Jameson and Butcher will not go to prison. A judge still must decide how much restitution the pair owe the county.

The state is seeking a total of $26,150 in damages from the two, with $19,734 of proceeds related to the sale of scrap metal and other county property, just over 5-thousand dollars for the cost of an audit and a little more than 14-hundred dollars in attorneys’ fees related to the audit, according to court documents.
The misconduct came to light after the results of a special investigation by the State Auditor’s Office were announced on Feb. 1st, 2013. Both Jameson and Butcher pleaded guilty in March to third-degree fraud, an aggravated misdemeanor; and misconduct in office, a serious misdemeanor. Both were originally charged with misconduct and first-degree theft — a felony.

The 2013 Auditor’s Office report said Jameson and Butcher sold scrap metal, some of it material from old Adair County bridges, to at least one local salvage yard. Jameson told investigators that the money was going to fund employee Christmas parties and retirement gifts, according to the report. Officials placed Jameson and Butcher on administrative leave on Jan. 23, 2013. They resigned two days later, according to the county. Criminal charges were later filed against the pair, who were arrested last July.