Police in Council Bluffs are investigating an incident of armed robbery that took place at around 12:30-a.m. today (Thursday), at Hanafan Park / the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge that links Council Bluffs to Omaha, over the Missouri River.

There, officers made contact with a male and female victim who reported they had been sitting on the terraces at Hanafan Park when they were approached by three armed subjects wearing masks. The suspects had displayed guns to them demanding they empty out their pockets and give them their money.

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The victims complied with the orders. The suspects took items from the victims and fled north bound on the bike trail. As the suspects fled, they are believed to have fired off several shots from a gun. The victims of the robbery were not injured.

Officers set up a perimeter of the area and searched it with both a K-9 and a drone equipped with a forward looking infrared camera. At this time the suspects have not been located.

The suspects are believed to be a female and two males. Anyone with information in reference to this case are urged to call the Council Bluffs Police Detective Division at (712) 328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-STOP (7867).

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — United Airlines says it is saddened by the death of a giant rabbit after a flight from London to Chicago and is reviewing a lawsuit filed by the animal’s owners. The lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges the airline was negligent in the death of a rabbit named Simon. In response, United released a statement saying the company is “saddened by Simon’s death in April” and that the airline is “currently reviewing” the complaint.

URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) — Police in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale say a teen has accidentally shot himself in the leg while cleaning a handgun. Television station KCCI reports that officers were called to the teen’s house around 1 p.m. Wednesday. Police say a 16-year-old boy was cleaning the gun when he shot himself in the leg. He was taken to a local hospital, and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines woman charged with murder is seeking a judge’s approval to use a “stand your ground” defense despite the law taking effect nearly two months after she allegedly shot and killed her stepfather. The Des Moines Register reports defense attorney argues the law should apply because 29-year-old Sera Alexander’s case will go to trial after the law took effect July 1. The law says a person doesn’t have to retreat before using deadly force if they think their life is being threatened.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors say a northeast Iowa businessman already convicted of failing to pay employment taxes has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an ethanol plant scam. Darrell Smith, of Forest City, entered the pleas Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids to charges of wire fraud and identity theft. Officials say that on several occasions, Smith transferred money from clients’ accounts without their knowledge into his bioenergy fund.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Tuesday of 45-year old Kerri Lynn Pace, of Villisca. Pace was arrested for Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance. Authorities say after receiving information of a gas drive off from Casey’s in Bedford, a vehicle fitting the description and direction of travel was located and stopped by deputy at the intersection of Highways 148 and 2. After a search of the vehicle was conducted with the assistance of K9 “Ciba,” methamphetamine along with scales and baggies associated with drug distribution was located. Pace cash bond was set at $25,000.

And, on July 21st, Zach Anderson, of Omaha, was arrested on a Page County warrant for failure to appear. It was believed Anderson was at a residence in Gravity. When Deputies tried to locate Anderson, he ran out the back door of the residence. K9 “Ciba” was deployed, tracked and located Anderson a few hundred yards away hiding in a tree. Anderson was arrested without further incident and turned over to Page County Deputies. Anderson was also wanted by Fremont County Iowa and Douglas County Nebraska.

United Airlines says it is saddened by the death of a giant rabbit after a flight from London to Chicago and is reviewing a lawsuit filed by the animal’s owners in Iowa. The lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges the airline was negligent in the care and transportation of the rabbit, named “Simon,” and then improperly cremated him. The lawsuit was filed more than three months after airline workers found the continental rabbit dead.

In response, United released a statement saying the company is “saddened by Simon’s death in April” and that the airline is “currently reviewing” the complaint. A group of Iowa executives filed the lawsuit seeking unspecified damages to cover the costs of the rabbit and punitive damages.

Attorney Guy Cook represents three Iowa businessmen who bought the rabbit with the intention of showing him at the Iowa State Fair and then displaying the animal to raise money for the annual event.

An investigation into an accident in Page County Tuesday afternoon, resulted in the driver of the vehicle being arrested on drug charges. Page County Deputies were notified at around 1:40-p.m. that an accident had occurred on Highway 2, near I Avenue, or about seven-miles east of Shenandoah.

During the investigation, 38-year old Seth Martin Kuipers, of Clarinda, was arrested on felony charges that include: Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to deliver 5 grams or more; Possession of Marijuana with intent to deliver 50 kilograms or less (class D Felony); and Failure to affix drug tax stamp. He was also charged with Possession of drug paraphernalia (a simple misdemeanor). Kuipers was being held in the Page County Jail on a $110,000 Cash only bond, while awaiting appearance in front of a Magistrate.

Kuipers was the driver and only occupant of a 2016 Chevy Malibu that was eastbound on Highway 2, just west of I Avenue.  His car crossed into the westbound lane and struck mirrors with 2010 Buick operated by Alberta Smith, of Clarinda.  Smith had swerved away from the Kuipers vehicle to avoid a head on collision.  Smith stopped a short distance to the west of the accident.  Kuipers continued a short distance prior to coming to a stop.  Neither driver could see the other when they came to stop.  There were no injuries reported from the accident.  The accident and incident are still under investigation with other possible charges pending at this time.

(Updated) — Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Assistant Director Mitch Mortvedt, in Omaha, confirmed with KJAN News Wednesday, that agents with the DCI had been in Atlantic, Monday, but he could not comment on their investigation of former Cass County 911 Director Rob Koppert, or any other ongoing investigations, at this time. A neighbor of Koppert, told KJAN News they saw DCI agents and Sheriff’s Deputies at Koppert’s home a little after 8-a.m., Monday. The neighbor, who did not wish to be identified, said another neighbor witnessed the same activity.The deputies were from Shelby County.

Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren would not comment publicly on any possible investigation, with the exception of saying that no Cass County law enforcement agencies are involved. McLaren and Cass County Attorney Dave Wiederstein would only go on record as saying Koppert resigned at his request, and was NOT asked to do so.

That news falls on the heels of action taken Tuesday evening by the Cass County Public Safety Commission, who accepted Koppert’s resignation. Cass County Attorney David Wiederstein said he and Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren had met with Koppert Monday morning at his request. At that time, he submitted his letter of resignation to them. Wiederstein said there was some brief discussion, but nothing further.

Koppert acted as the 911 Director for Cass County since the mid-1990’s. He has been experiencing health issues lately. The Board appointed Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon as Interim 911 Director. The process will now begin to revise the position’s job description and then seeking applicants.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines woman charged with murder is seeking a judge’s approval to use a “stand your ground” defense despite the law taking effect nearly two months after she allegedly shot and killed her stepfather. The Des Moines Register reports defense attorney Montgomery Brown argues the law should apply because 29-year-old Sera Alexander’s case will go to trial after the law took effect July 1.

The law says a person doesn’t have to retreat before using deadly force if they think their life is being threatened. Assistant Polk County Attorney Kevin Hathaway says prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to prove a first-degree murder case against Alexander even if the law applies. District Court Judge Robert Blink has asked attorneys to write additional briefs before making a final decision.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Sioux City School Board has approved an agreement to buy unused space for classrooms in the downtown Sioux City Public Museum. The second-floor space would be converted into 19 classrooms so the district could hold Life Academy and Career Academy courses there. Those courses now are spread out at all three high schools, Wester Iowa Tech Community College and the Ho-Chunk Centre downtown. The district plans still face reviews from city officials.

Before becoming a museum, the building held a Delta Air Lines call center that closed in 2012. The building was built as a J.C. Penney retail store more than three decades ago.

Parts of Atlantic were hit by an apparent microburst of rain and wind this (Wednesday) morning. Tree limbs were reported down in the vicinity of the Mid-Town Apartments located near 8^th and Plum Streets. Strong winds also damaged some windows in the area. The damage seemed to span from 10th and Cherry northeast through the 7th Street corridor, east of Plum Street. A cashier at the Casey’s east store told KJAN News the winds blew the businesses doors open, and rain flowed across the floor to near the soft serve treat area. The storm hit between 6 and 6:15-a.m.

The same area and areas to the west were hit by a micro-burst several years ago. No injuries have been were reported. A microburst is a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm and is usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter. Microbursts can cause extensive damage at the surface, and in some instances, can be life-threatening.

Graphic from the NWS