A search warrant executed at a residence in Defiance late Tuesday night resulted in the arrest of three people on felony drug and other charges. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies served the warrant at around 11:45-p.m., at 313 Railway Street, in Defiance, where three people were residing. The individuals were identified as 26-year old Andrew Nielsen and 27-year old Jackie Thielen, both of Defiance, and 24-year old Anthony Bennett, of Harlan.

Deputies also discovered a controlled substance believed to be methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, packaging material, and related items.

Officials say the suspects were brought to the Shelby County Jail, where Nielsen and Thielen each face felony charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, Gathering where Controlled Substances are unlawfully used, and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. Both also face misdemeanor charges of Prohibited Acts and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Their bonds were set at $100,000 each.

Bennett faces a single felony charge of Gathering Where Controlled Substances are Unlawfully Used. His bond was set at $5,000.  Assisting the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in conducting the residential search, was the Harlan Police Department’s K9 unit.

An accident next to the bacon processing plant south of Harlan, Tuesday, resulted in minor injuries to the drivers of two vehicles. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says the collision happened at around 2:50-p.m. on Highway 59, at the intersection with 870th Street, near Shelby County Cookers. An investigation determined a 2001 Ford Escape driven by 59-year old Becky Watkins, of Harlan, was southbound on Highway 59 and had slowed down prior to attempting a left turn onto 870th Street, when her SUV was struck from behind by a 2002 Buick Lesabre. The driver of the Buick was identified as 20-year old Alexandria Temme, of Harlan.

Both drivers were transported by Medivac Ambulance to Myrtue Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Harlan Fire and Rescue personnel assisted at the scene. The accident remains under investigation, with charges pending at this time.

(Update 8:17-a.m. – Suspect in Custody)

Authorities in Cass County spent about 30-minutes this (Wednesday) morning, searching for a man who took off during a traffic stop on Interstate 80. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Craig Zenor attempted to pull over a 1999 Chrysler Concorde for speeding on I-80 eastbound at the 50-mile marker at around 7:42-a.m., when the driver took off for reasons unknown. The vehicle left the Interstate to the south at the Marne exit and crashed into the ditch. The driver, a man who was initially reported to be from Sioux City, took off on foot. After he followed the fence line and laid down on the ground, the Trooper lost sight of the subject.

Law enforcement, including k9 units converged on the scene trying to find the man, who was described as being a white male with tattoos on his arms. The Trooper who initiated the traffic stop reported the subject grabbed something from a dashboard compartment when he took off running.

A State Patrol aircraft saw the man crawling on his hands and knees. He was finally apprehended near a tree along the fence line south of I-80, at around 8:17-a.m. Dispatch reports indicated the suspect, who was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs, will initially be charged with felony eluding, and driving under the influence. Hell also be cited for traffic offenses. A records search indicated the vehicle was not registered to the suspect, and appeared to have been stolen. Several items inside the car were set to be inventoried and checked to see if they were reported stolen, as well.