Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau report 47-year-old Sara Weisbeck, of LeClair was found guilty on October 7, 2022, in Scott County District Court of one count of Insurance Fraud (Class D Felony) and one count of Identity Theft (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.

The investigation began in December 2019 after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating Weisbeck had provided false information to her insurer when filing an insurance claim. She had alleged a lightning strike caused a power surge within her residence and destroyed over $7,000 of her personal belongings.

The investigation determined that specific items Weisbeck reported to her insurer as destroyed were not within the residence when the lightning strike occurred. It also determined that Weisbeck facilitated the removal of windows from within her residence and falsely reported that the power surge blew the windows from the house. The investigation also determined that emails submitted to Weisbeck’s insurer, which were authored in the name of her landlord and supported her insurance claim, were fictitious and had been fabricated.

Sara Weisbeck (Photo courtesy of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office)

Following her guilty conviction, Weisbeck was placed on supervised probation for two years and ordered to pay a civil penalty of $2,357.50. Weisbeck must also pay victim restitution in the amount of $1,240 for the damaged windows.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

(Lee County, Iowa) – A man riding a bicycle was struck and killed Wednesday evening, in southeast Iowa. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 1998 Chevy pickup driven by 70-year-old Sharon L. Robey, of Niota, Illinois, was westbound on S. 7th Street in Keokuk, when the vehicle ran into the rear of a Huffy Sante Fe bicycle, which was traveling west on S. 7th Street. Following the collision, the bicycle, operated by 57-year-old Clark Evan Pfeiferling, of Keokuk, came to rest under the right front corner of the pickup. The accident happened at around 5:54-p.m.

Pfeiferling was transported by Lee County EMS to the Southeast Iowa Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. The accident was under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Keokuk Police and Lee County EMS.

(Southeastern Wright County, Iowa — A man faces multiple charges in Wright County after using a stolen vehicle to ram a trooper’s car into the ditch, Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported. The Iowa State Patrol reports Troopers clocked 22-year-old Ahmed Khalif at 105 mph, on Interstate 35. Khalif did not stop for the trooper and a chase ensued at around 7-a.m., Wednesday.

Authorities say Khalif took the exit to Woolstock and ended up driving the wrong way before turning around again. That’s when Khalif rammed a trooper’s car into the ditch. Next, Khalif left the vehicle and a foot pursuit began. A short time later, the trooper tracked him down on foot and made the arrest. Khalif had warrants out of Minnesota and Maryland. The vehicle was stolen out of Massachusetts.

Iowa State Patrol Facebook page photo

Khaliff is charged with felony eluding, interference with official acts, assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle, operating while intoxicated, possession of controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, speeding, no driver’s license and other traffic charges.

(Norwalk, Iowa) – Officials in central Iowa report a man from Marshalltown faces a charge of a murder in the first degree, in connection to the September stabbing of a Norwalk woman. 38-year-old Antonio Lavell Lewis also faces unrelated charges stemming from warrants out of Marshall County.

Norwalk Police say on September 15th, they responded to reports of a stabbing at an apartment at 608 Knoll Drive. Officers found 31-year-old Karisa Shendelman. She had died from multiple stab wounds. Antonio Lavell Lewis was also inside the apartment. He was arrested for unrelated warrants at the time.

(Creston, Iowa) – A woman who said she was distracted by her cell phone, failed to stop at an intersection in Creston, Wednesday night, causing her vehicle to rear-end a pickup truck. No injuries were reported. Creston Police report 67-year-old Ricky Ramaeker, of Creston, was driving a 1999 Dodge pickup truck on southbound Sumner Street, and stopped at the red light with Adams Street, when his vehicle was struck from behind by a southbound 2004 Pontiac. The accident happened at around 10:15-p.m. Authorities identified the driver of the car as 19-year-old Katilina Bozwell, of Creston.

Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000, with damage to the Pontiac amounted to $3,000. Bozwell was cited for having no insurance.