The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents about persons allegedly involved in “Asphalt Scams” in Pottawattamie County. Sheriff Jeff Danker says an Asphalt Scam is when an individual approaches a resident and claims to be working in the area doing road re-surfacing. They tell the victim they have left over asphalt and that they can pave a driveway or whatever surface for a substantially reduced rate. The person will generally want the money up front and when or if the work is complete.

Danker says the victim is left with a shallow covering of asphalt that is so thin it will not last under the weight of a normal vehicle. He warns, if you are approached by anyone trying to sell you goods or services for a rate too good to be true, it is generally a scam and you should check the company out prior to entering into any type of agreement or providing any type of payment to them.

In addition, you should report the activity to your local law enforcement agency immediately.

One person is in custody in Pottawattamie County following a shooting incident Monday evening, in Underwood. The Sheriff’s Department says Deputies were dispatched to 110 2nd Avenue in Underwood at around 7:15-p.m., in reference to a male subject with a gun.
During their investigation, it was determined that 50-year old Michael S. Weiss, of  Underwood, and 37-year old Carlos Villalobus, of Council Bluffs, had been in a verbal disturbance over storage of property. During the incident, Weiss allegedly produced a handgun and fired three shots.  Villalobus was not hit by any of the rounds.
Weiss was arrested on charges that include Intimidation with a dangerous weapon, Assault while displaying a weapon, Reckless use of a Firearm (without injury), and Felon in possession of firearm. He was transported to Pottawattamie County Jail.
The Iowa State Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation assisted in handling and investigating the incident.

Leaders of the Iowa Senate have announced plans to issue a formal letter to each of the State’s 50 Senators, calling for a special session of the Iowa Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, of Council Bluffs, said today (Tuesday) “Governor Branstad’s surprising vetoes of one-time funding for K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities continues to make no sense to a majority of Iowans.”

Gronstal added “The Governor’s vetoes are especially egregious in light of the fact that the Legislature worked in a bipartisan fashion to avoid using one-time money to fund ongoing needs and the Legislature’s overall spending level was actually below the Governor’s. In the end, it is schoolchildren, college students and Iowans needing mental health treatment who will suffer because of the Governor’s actions. I believe there will be bipartisan support for overriding the worst of Governor Branstad’s vetoes.”

Legislators may call a special session if two-thirds of the Senators and two-thirds of the Representatives agree in writing to participate in a special session.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Creston Police are investigating three incidents of recent theft and/or break-in’s. Officials say a resident in the 1100 block of W. Montgomery Street reported Monday, that someone broke into his home and took three pocket knives, a hatchet, three pairs of earrings, a necklace and various CD’s. The incident happened sometime between 1:30-p.m. on July 1st and 10-p.m. on July 2nd. The loss was estimated at $4,100.

A resident in the 400 block of N. Chestnut Street in Creston reported to Police, Monday, that his wallet had been taken from Bill Sears Park, sometime around June 19th, and charges were made at various local businesses, on credit cards in the wallet. The loss was estimated at nearly $330.

On Sunday, 21-year old Desiree Banda, who resides in the 200 block of N. Maple Street in Creston, reported to Police someone took a window air conditioner from her home. The incident took place sometime between 3-and 11-p.m., Saturday (7/4). The loss was estimated at $150.

The same woman was arrested Monday evening at the Union County Jail on a warrant out of Union County, for Theft in the 5th degree. Banda was later released on $300 bond.

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Police in Red Oak arrested a man early this (Tuesday) morning, on a felony Burglary charge. Authorities say 21-year old Dakota Seth Elmquist, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 1:50-a.m. following a burglary in the 100 block of W. Maple Street. His bond was set at $10,000.

Police say once inside the home, Elmquist allegedly pushed one of the occupants down the stairs, before he left the home and went across the street. There, he sat on a retaining wall and hollered what the victims said was “jibberish.” Elmquist got up and began walking north from the residence and when Red Oak Police approached, took off running.

Following a short foot pursuit, Elmquist was taken into custody without further incident and brought to the Montgomery County Jail.

A Red Oak man was arrested early this (Tuesday) morning on a charge of Public Intoxication. 31-year old Paul Nathaniel Falk was taken into custody at around 1:10-a.m. in the 400 block of N. 4th Street, in Red Oak. Falk was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.