A southwest Iowa man says getting involved in a police chase was like an episode of “Cops.” The man’s pickup truck was stolen from his home on Labor Day and then yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, he spotted the truck crossing the Veterans Memorial Bridge from Council Bluffs into Omaha, so he started chasing it. He  says the truck thief had taken the stickers off the window and changed the license plates, but he recognized other elements and knew it was his vehicle. The man, who didn’t want to be identified, says he called 911 and stayed with the truck until law officers joined the pursuit. The Iowa State Patrol and Omaha police picked up the chase and stuck with the pickup until it crashed into a fence. The driver, 30-year-old Jessica Katz, took off running but was soon in handcuffs. “I followed the cop cars to the scene and she was already in custody by the time I got here,” he says. “It was quite the ordeal. It felt like an episode of ‘Cops’ and I was the cop without a badge.” Katz was booked on charges of theft, hit and run, drug possession and flight to avoid arrest.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report today (Friday) that three people, two from Atlantic and one from Audubon, were arrested late last month following a fight at 524 Market Street, in Harlan. The incident happened August 25^th.  Official said 23-year old Justin Patton, of Atlantic, was charged with assault with intent to cause injury, disorderly conduct and interference with official acts. 32-year-old John Knight, of Atlantic, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with official acts. And, 28-year-old Eddie Mack, Jr., of Audubon, was charged with possession of contraband in a correctional facility, and interference with official acts.

All three men made their initial appearances in court August 29th, and have plead not guilty to the charges. They were released from the Shelby County Jail after posting $1,000 bond, each. Preliminary hearings in their cases was set for Sept. 13th.

Police in Shenandoah say three teens were arrested on 3^rd degree burglary and possession of burglary tools charges early this (Friday) morning. Two of the teens, 19-year-old Jesse Powell, 19-year-old Dallas Liable were brought to the Page County Jail. Powell later posted bond. And, a 16-year old allegedly involved in the attempted break-in, was transported to the juvenile detention center in Council Bluffs.

The arrests occurred after Shenandoah Police responded to a reported burglary in progress at the Mt. Arbor Nursery at around 2:30-a.m. Assisting with the investigation and arrests, were deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green says the number of burglaries have dropped-off in the community, since the Police Department last week issued a warning to residents of the City to lock the doors on their homes and vehicles, following a couple of residential burglaries which occurred in the City.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green

Green said the thieves were apparently targeting electronic equipment, like computers and audio components, but they’ve gotten wise to the facts the public is being more observant. He says his officers have also been conducting surveillance, and since the news release on August 30^th, the activity has slowed. The “rash” of burglaries he says, is not currently continuing.

Green says they have some leads, but nothing has panned out just yet. He says residents need to remain vigilant though, in their awareness of strange activity going on in their neighborhood, and not be lulled into a false sense of security just because the incidents have seemingly stopped. He says most of the burglaries were residential, and there wasn’t any particular pattern.

Green says while some people may think the thieves are targeting primarily the residences of business owners while they are away from home, they’re not the only ones to have been hit. He says the thieves were hitting homes during the lunch hour, when there is a lesser opportunity people will be around.

The Chief reminds residents that if you should happen to come home and find it has been broken into, immediately exit the residence and call police. Entering the home and tampering with touched objects can result in possible lost evidence, and, there is a chance the suspect or suspects may still be in the residence.

Police in Clarinda say they’re investigating a theft and an incident of vandalism. Chief Keith Brothers says on Tuesday, September 4^th, a woman reported that a clutch purse had been stolen from her vehicle while it was parked at her residence in the 200 block of west Logan Street. The theft occurred sometime between 10:0 0 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The purse was later located at the Alco Discount Center in Clarinda. The woman said $30.00 cash had been taken from the purse.

And, on Thursday, September 6^th, a woman in Clarinda reported that her 1971 Ford Mustang had been vandalized while the vehicle was parked at her residence located in the 500 block of south 13^th Street. The paint on the vehicle had been damaged with a sharp object, the driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror had been pulled off, the tires punctured and the gas cap broken. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $2,000.00. Both incidents remain under investigation.

The Walnut City Council, Thursday evening, passed a Resolution of Support for the Continuation of Education in Walnut. City Clerk Terry Abell told KJAN News the Council received a report about the economic impact on the community, if it should lose its school, which has faced declining enrollment, and the possibility of consolidation with another district. She said a group of concerned citizens said City leaders need to be aware of the potential impact that such a move could have. On a related note, Terry says a spaghetti supper will be held one-week from this Saturday in Walnut, along with discussion about the future of the school district. She says the free spaghetti supper will be held in the old high school gym beginning at 5:30-p.m. Sept, 15^th, followed by an informational meeting at 6-p.m.

In other business, the Walnut City Council, Thursday, heard a presentation from brothers Shea Campbell and Taylor Campbell, with regard to their proposed Eagle Scout City Park beautification projects. She says Shea wants to paint the buildings at the Walnut Park, while Taylor wants to have the scouts scrape and paint about 60 fire hydrants.

The Walnut City Council also passed an ordinance that will allow the use of golf carts on City streets, and they approved the appointment of Tim Branan, Lois Brix, Lesley Krummel, Betty Roberts, and Denise Sandbothe, to the Community Development Committee.

(9-a.m. News)