Authorities in Pottawattamie County are seeking tips from the public that might help them solve several burglaries which occurred late last week and over the weekend. The incidents took place between Sept. 26^th and 29^th. According to Sheriff’s officials, a car wash in Avoca was hit twice, once during the early morning hours of Sept. 26^th, and again during the morning of Sept. 29^th. The thief got away with some change during the first incident, but they were unsuccessful during their second attempt.

Last Friday, a burglary at an implement dealership in Macedonia resulted in the theft of more than three-dozen batteries. The incident occurred during the early morning hours. Surveillance video shows similar vehicles were present during the incidents, but it is very grainy and it’s not clear if the vehicle is actually the same one used by the suspect or suspects.

In addition, a restaurant in Walnut was broken into on Sept. 26^th, with the culprit getting away with a bag of cash. A dollar amount of the loss is not available. And, a car wash in Minden was broken into on September 26^th just before 6-a.m., but authorities were able to identify and arrest three subjects from that incident about 30 to 45 minutes after it occurred. No names have been released.

Police in  Red Oak arrested two people on burglary charges late Tuesday night. 34-year old Russell Donald Walker, of Burlington Junction, MO., was arrested at around 11:20-p.m. at Highway 34 and K Avenue in Red Oak. He was charged with Burglary in the 2nd degree and  held in the Montgomery County Jail on $10,000 bond.

And, 22-year old James Leroy Christensen, Jr., of Red Oak, was arrested at around 10:40-p.m. near North 6th and Nuckols Streets in Red Oak, on a warrant charging him with Burglary in the 3rd degree. Christensen was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Three eastern Iowa residents, including two teens, were arrested and a warrant was issued for a fourth person, in connection with an investigation into burglaries and thefts which were committed in Stanton, beginning in early September. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports: 20-year old Ashley Nicole Peercy was charged with Accessory after the fact, and held on $2,000 bond; 16-year old Kenneth Michael Landgrebe was charged with two counts each of Burglary in the 3rd degree, and Theft in the 2nd degree; 15-year old Ridge Alan Weithers faces two counts of Burglary in the 3rd degree.  All three suspects are from Newton.  The two teens were transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs, where they were being held pending a sentencing hearing.

Authorities say a warrant was issued for 21-year old Caleb Michael Schwabe, of Newton, who faces charges that include two counts each of Burglary in the 3rd degree, Theft in the 2nd degree/motor vehicle-related, and a felony charge of using a juvenile to commit an offense.

If you know the location of Schwabe, you’re asked to contact your local law enforcement agency or the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 712-623-5107.

Republican Congressman Steve King says “good things” have happened after past showdowns between congress and previous presidents and Republicans in congress are “more unified” now that the government shutdown has actually happened. “I think there was something that was intimidating members, an unreasonable fear that they would be blamed if the clock ticked past midnight and so we’re past the witching hour,” King says, “and the roof hasn’t caved in. The sky hasn’t fallen and now I’m seeing Republicans dig back in and show more resolve, not less.”

According to King, there have been 17 government shutdowns since 1976, including the 1995 stalemate between congress and President Clinton that King says eventually yielded a balanced federal budget. “Good things do come from these kind of showdowns,” King says, “and we need to hold the line to that even more good can come from this.” Public opinion will resolve the impasse, according to King, who predicts the resolution will come sooner rather than later.”This isn’t going to go on for a long time,” King says. “The pressure builds every day and so each hour that goes by now brings us closer to a conclusion.”

King made his comments during a telephone conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. Jim Mowrer — the Democrat who hopes to face King in the 2014 eleciton — held a news conference in Sioux City, saying the shutdown was “truly unacceptable.” Mowrer said King was “irresponsible and reckless” for “putting the economy at risk to advance his Tea Party political agenda.

(Radio Iowa)