The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a woman from Cromwell reported Friday evening that someone had stolen 37-pieces of sterling silverware, a gold ring with one-third carat diamond, and an aquamarine ring with diamond set around it. The theft at the woman’s residence took place sometime since Feb. 1st, and resulted in a loss estimated at $2,075.

(9-a.m. News)

Local police and agents with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement are searching for a Honduras native who vanished following his release on bond after being charged with motor vehicle homicide in the death of a southwest Iowa woman. Critics call Omaha a “sanctuary city” because of the situation involving 19-year-old Eswin Mejia. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer disagrees.

“My understanding is the definition of a sanctuary city is a city or county that will errect laws in order to not support ICE,” Chief Schmaderer says. “We will support ICE in what they’re trying to do. By pure definition, Omaha’s certainly not a sanctuary city.”

Mejia is charged in the death of 21-year-old Sarah Root of Council Bluffs. Police say Mejia’s blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit and he was street racing on a suspended license when he rear-ended Root’s vehicle in Omaha in late January, killing her. Schmaderer says Mejia was in the U-S illegally, was released after posting bond and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

“We notified the county attorney’s office that he’s here illegally,” he says. “We also notified ICE at that time. We notified ICE after the arrest and even had a supervisor call over there. For whatever reason, nothing came of those particular calls.” The chief says everything was done according to protocol. “We did everything that we were supposed to do to bring this offender to justice, to notify ICE, to make everybody aware he was here illegally, including the final aftermath, to try and apprehend him, to bring him back now,” Schmaderer says.

Mejia’s bond was set at $50,000. He was able to secure ten-percent of that and was freed.

(Radio Iowa)

(Will be updated – corrects Police Chief name, also)

A routine traffic stop in Greenfield Saturday night led to a pursuit and shots fired. Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater told KJAN News Greenfield Police Chief Jesse Lund was trying to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle that had blown through a stop sign near near the Nodaway Valley High School in Greenfield, when the vehicle took off and traveled north on Monroe Street. After the vehicle eventually turned east onto 220th Street, the driver and one adult passenger bailed out near a residence. A juvenile female remained in the vehicle.

As the Chief was talking with the female, he heard a gunshot but was unable to tell where it was coming from. He got in his cruiser and backed away from the scene before calling for backup.

The driver of the vehicle later came out and allegedly fired more than a dozen shots, reloading his weapon in the process. After a cell phone conversation with the subject, authorities were able to enter the home, and executed a search warrant. They found 2-pounds of marijuana in a safe, and numerous weapons.

No one was injured. Additional details are forthcoming.

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

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The Creston Police Department says four people were arrested over the past few days. On Saturday, 23-year old Ryan Paul Weckman, of Creston, was arrested on two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance and one count of Drug Paraphernalia possession. He was later released from custody after posting a $1,000 cash bond or surety. Also arrested Saturday in Creston, was 41-year old Hollis Kendall Major, and 51-year old David Dwain Wright, both of Creston.

Major was taken into custody for Driving While Revoked. He later posted a $1,000 bond. Wright was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Interference with Official Acts with Injury, and Public Intoxication/2nd offense. He was being held in the Ringgold County Jail on $1,300 total bond.

Last Friday, Creston Police arrested 23-year old Ely Laramie Will, of Clearfield, on a warrant for Probation Violation. Will was later released on a $5,000 cash only bond.

The Atlantic Fire Department held its annual awards banquet, January 30th. Fire Chief Mark McNees says “Everyone of our volunteers is a necessity to our survival. This year a couple went above and beyond with training, tasks, calls made, leadership and striving to make themselves and others better firefighters.”

During the event, Jeremiah Thompson was awarded “Firefighter of the year.” Mitch Peerbolte was awarded “Rookie of the year,” and Max Petersen received an award for “2015 Honorary Atlantic Firefighter.” Max Petersen is the son of Marty and Sue Petersen.

Also recognized during the AFD’s awards banquet, was John Johnson, for his 35-years of service, and Jim Shannon, Marty Petersen, and Mark McNees, all for their 25-years of service.

Max Petersen received an award for “2015 Honorary Atlantic Firefighter.”

Jeremiah Thompson was named 2015 Firefighter of the Year. (All photos courtesy Mark McNees)

Mitch Peerbolte was awarded “Rookie of the year,”

The area’s top news at 7:05-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A 38-year-old Sioux City man is accused of using counterfeit bills to make purchases at various times and places since August. The Sioux City Journal reports  that the man — identified as Fernando Gabriel Morales — would use the counterfeit bills himself or give the bills to others. He’d run away when confronted about the fakes. Morales was arrested Thursday.

Court records say he’s charged with eight counts of forgery and several other crimes. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 29th.

Two men from Malvern were arrested on drug charges Sunday night, following a traffic stop in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials say a vehicle driven by 31-year old David Allen Shuffler was pulled over at around 8:05-p.m. on Highway 34 at the Mills/Montgomery County line. Afterward, Shuffler was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While Suspended.

His passenger, 43-year old Michael Shawn Hart, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both men was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where Shuffler was being held on $1,000 bond, and Hart was released with a citation.

Police in Red Oak along with Sheriff’s Deputies from Montgomery County, were called to a residence in the 700 block of N. 5th Street in Red Oak, Sunday evening, after receiving a report a man was threatening people with a firearm. When they arrived shortly after 7-p.m., officers and deputies attempted to take 42-year old James Reed Mitroff II, of Red Oak, into custody, but he allegedly resisted arrest.

After what was described as “Heavy resistance” by Mitroff, he was subdued and handcuffed. During their investigation, it was determined Mitroff had alleged committed a domestic assault while displaying a firearm. The man didn’t make any threats while armed.

He was arrested for aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault and Interference with Official Acts. His bond at the Montgomery County Jail, was set at $2,000.