No injuries were reported when an SUV traveling on Highway 71 caught fire Saturday afternoon, south of Atlantic.

(Photo courtesy Brad and Chris Petersen, of Cumberland)

Atlantic Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the scene about two-miles south of town, at around 2:55-p.m.  Deputies arriving on location prior to the fire department noted the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, but Chris Johnson and his two girls, from Wiota, were outside and safe.

Witnesses say during the blaze, one of the SUV’s tires exploded and shot about 50-feet into the air. Firefighters returned to their base at around 3:40-p.m.

Sheriff’s officials in Page County are investigating a burglary that occurred at a residence in rural Shenandoah sometime over the past few days. Authorities said Saturday, a person or persons unknown gained entry to a residence and outbuilding at 1469 Highway 2, or about three-miles east of Shenandoah. A bright blue 2004 Chevy K2500 4 x 4 extended cab pickup with Iowa License BCZ634 was stolen from the residence. The pickup had aluminum tool boxes on both sides of the bed. The tool boxes contained numerous socket / wrench sets along with several jacks and hitches.

Numerous household items, including but not limited to silverware, a clothes dryer, firearms, Japanese swords, a 70” Sharp flatscreen TV, and numerous Milwaukee cordless construction tools were also stolen. Other items in the residence were not taken but were damaged.

Page County Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1000 for information on this crime that leads to the arrest and indictment of person(s) involved with this crime. Callers can call the Page County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement with tips. The caller can remain anonymous.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office today (Saturday) reported two men from Dallas County have been arrested in connection with a pattern of criminal mischief that began at a woman’s residence in Casey last May, and continued through at least July 2nd.  An investigation resulted in charges being filed against Thomas Jay Lilly and his son, Troy Michael Marvelli, both of Adel.

Thomas Lilley was charged with Stalking, Criminal Mischief Fourth Degree, Trespassing and Harassment Third Degree. Troy Marvelli faces Criminal Mischief Fourth Degree, Trespassing and Harassment in the Third Degree, charges.

Thomas Lilley turned himself into the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office on July 13th and appeared before the Guthrie County Magistrate where he was ordered held on $2,000 bond. Troy Marvelli turned himself into the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office on July 17th and appeared before the Guthrie County Magistrate where he was released on his own recognizance. 

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating a case of arson. According to officials, Officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department and Firefighters were called to 906 25th Avenue at around 4:36-a.m. today (Saturday) for a vehicle fire. The victim, Eugenia Dierks, advised that she heard noises outside her residence and had asked a family member, Wendell Parrott, to see what was going on outside.

After he observed a broken window on the woman’s 1993 Chevy Suburban, which was parked on the street, and smoke coming from inside the vehicle, Parrott told Dierks to call 911 right away. Parrott was able to remove an incendiary device from the cab of the vehicle, which sustained minor damage.

The incident was being investigated by the Council Bluffs Fire department as a case of Arson in the 2nd Degree.

An investigation into a break-in at a fire department in Guthrie County that began about a month ago, resulted in the execution of a search warrant and the arrest of three people on multiple stolen property and drug-related charges, including multiple felonies. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office said Friday, deputies searched a home at 204 1st Avenue in Bagley, on July 15th, following an investigation into a break-in reported by the Bagley Fire Department.

It’s not clear when the break-in occurred, but during the theft, one of the department’s credit cards was stolen and used to purchase hundreds of dollars worth of gasoline. As a result of the search warrant, property belonging to the Bagley Fire Department was located including the stolen credit card

Officials say 43-year old Terry Eugene King, was charged with Dominion/Control of a Firearm by a Felon, Unauthorized Possession of an Offensive Weapon, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Theft Third Degree, Theft Second Degree, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs and Driving Under Suspension.

22-year old Jessica June Wells, was charged with Dominion/Control of a Firearm by a Domestic Abuse Offender, Unauthorized Possession of an Offensive Weapon, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense and Permitting and Unauthorized Person to Drive.

And 26-year old Curtis Michael Swihart was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Drug Tax Stamp Violation and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

King was seen by the Guthrie County Magistrate and held on $20,000 cash only bond. Jessica Wells was seen by the Guthrie County Magistrate and held on $5,000 cash or surety bond. Swihart was seen by the Guthrie County Magistrate and held on $500 cash only bond.