A stolen firefighter’s truck led to a chase, one arrest and two injuries early this morning, in Pottawattamie County. Pott. County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Reynolds told KJAN News a firefighter living just outside of Council Bluffs off McPherson Avenue, saw someone take his pickup truck at around 3:15-a.m.  and reported it. A sheriff’s deputy saw the vehicle top a hill and engaged in pursuit.

The chase ended when the pickup crashed near the Pine Ridge Apartments in Council Bluffs, a foot pursuit ensued. The suspect and deputy were both injured, when they fell into a ravine onto rip-rap (rocks). The deputy suffered injuries to his right arm and was transported to a hospital for treatment, then released. The suspect suffered from shoulder pain. A second suspect remains at large.

The Omaha Police Department’s K-9 unit was used to track one of the suspects into a sewer drain at around 3:30-a.m., after it was discovered a man-hole cover was pried off by the Elks Lodge near 380 McKenzie Avenue. Additional details are currently not available.The incident remains under investigation.

A report from the National Runaway Safeline shows a dramatic decrease in the number of Iowans calling in — both young people and concerned parents. Last year, 281 Iowans called the Runaway Safeline, a big drop from 566 calls the previous year. Maureen Blaha, executive director of the service, says conflict in the home is the primary reason most callers reach out.

“They’re identifying abuse and that is primarily emotional or verbal abuse,” Blaha says. “From last year to this year, there was a 21% increase in young people talking about that as the main reason they have connected with us.” The reason for the drop in calls from Iowa is unclear, but one official says it may simply equate to fewer teens on the run in Iowa and happier families. The average caller to the Safeline is 17 years old and female. While equal numbers of boys and girls run away, Blaha says girls are more apt to reach out for help.

“Our target audience is young people, so, those who are on the street,” Blaha says. “We want to help them get to safety. Those that are thinking of running away, we want to help them come up with a plan of action, how they can deal with whatever is going on and so they’re not running away.” While the Safeline primarily targets young people, plenty of parents call in as well. Blaha says there are signs moms and dads can be on the lookout for which may be a clue their child is considering the drastic move.

“Teens that all of the sudden have stopped eating or they’re just moping in their room, have mood swings, that’s a warning sign,” Blaha says. “If there is rebellious behavior like fighting in the home with siblings or parents or grades are dropping.” Other signs include: stockpiling of possessions or money and making threats to leave. As many as 2.8 million youth run away each year. If all of them lived in one city, it would be the fifth-largest city in the United States. The Chicago-based Safeline is available around the clock at 1-800-RUNAWAY or online at 1800RUNAWAY.org.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Creston report two men were arrested on drug charges Wednesday morning. 39-year old Gerald Lawrence, and 43-year old James Kisner, both of Creston, were arrested at around 10-a.m. at a residence in the 800 block of N. Cherry Street, in Creston. Both face Possession with Intent to sell over 5-grams of Methamphetamine, charges. Lawrence was being held in the Union County Jail on $100,000 bond, while Kisner’s bond was set at $50,000.

Creston Police said also, 26-year old Chevy Sauer, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday for Driving While Suspended. He was later released on $300 bond., And, 33-year old Troy Dames, of Creston, was arrested Wed. evening for Trespassing. He was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Red Oak Police report the arrest Wednesday evening of two men on drug charges. 52-year old Gary Francis Morris, of Villisca, and 35-year old Kale Garrett Hardman, of Red Oak, were arrested near the intersection of E. Corning Street and Highland Avenue, at around 8-p.m.  Morris was charged with Driving While Suspended and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, while Hardman faces a Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine/3rd or subsequent offense, charge.

Both men were brought to the Montgomery County Jail. Morris’ bond was set at $300, while bond for Hardman was set at $5,000.