(Radio Iowa) – Triple A is reporting gasoline prices in Iowa are about 30 cents a gallon higher than a month ago. Meredith Mitts is a spokeswoman for Triple A Iowa. “The reason we’re seeing this is while crude oil is still hovering around roughly the same prices, we’re seeing an increase in demand,” she says, “which is driving some of those prices up.” Mitts says gas prices in the weeks ahead are expected to rise because of holiday travel and weather may be another factor.

“It could be a snow storm or a rain storm. It could be a hurricane hitting some of those pipelines,” Mitts says, “but severe weather has the ability to impact what gas prices we’re seeing locally even if hitting somewhere else, like down in Florida or on the east or west coast.” Council Bluffs is where gas is selling for the lowest price right now — three-59 ($3.59) a gallon, according to Triple A. Ames has the highest price at three-84 ($3.84) a gallon. “In the last week, though, we’ve really only gone up three or four cents, depending on where you’re at,” Mitts says.

Diesel fuels prices are averaging above five dollars a gallon in Iowa. That’s about 38 cents more than a week ago — and nearly equal to the nationwide jump in diesel this past week.

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Dept. of Corrections, on Wednesday, reported 21-year-old Brent Lee Robinson, convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree in Linn County, failed to report back to the Hope House Residential Facility as required, Tuesday.

Robinson is a white male, height 6’3″, and weighs 201 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on August 11, 2022. Persons with information on Robinson’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Brent Robinson (IA DOC photo)

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau report, 68-year-old Alan Steven Kessler, of West Des Moines, was recently charged with one count of Theft in the First Degree Against an Older Individual (Class B Felony), one count of Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Class B Felony), and one count of Securities Fraud (Class C Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and the Iowa Insurance Division’s Securities Bureau. The charges against Kessler stem from an investigation which began in April of 2022.  According to a criminal complaint filed by the Dallas County Attorney’s Office, Kessler allegedly had an ongoing scheme to steal from and defraud an elderly individual.

Alan S. Kessler (Photo Courtesy of Dallas County Sheriff’s Office)

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said “This case is working its way through the legal system, but it’s possible that there may be more victims out there. I encourage anyone that may have been defrauded by Mr. Kessler to come forward and contact our offices immediately.” Attorney General Tom Miller says “This is one of the first charges filed under Iowa’s new criminal elder abuse law, which went into effect July 1. We’ve been advocating for the legislation for years to address abuses like these.” Miller encouraged Iowans to report other alleged instances of fraud by Kessler to the Consumer Protection Division at consumer@ag.iowa.gov or 888-777-4590.

On October 2, 2022, Kessler was arrested and booked into the Dallas County Jail.  Kessler posted a $25,000 bond and was released.

In a separate case, 47-year-old Sang Nguyen, of Des Moines, pled guilty on October 4, 2022, to one count of Insurance Fraud – Application Submission (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.  The investigation began in June of 2022 after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating Nguyen had provided false information to an insurer when purchasing full coverage automobile insurance.

The investigation determined that after Nguyen’s motorcycle was involved in a single vehicle collision and sustained over $3,000 in damage he contacted an insurer to purchase auto insurance coverage.  During the purchase Nguyen provided false information about the existing damage to his motorcycle and was granted full coverage automotive insurance.  Days later, Nguyen filed an insurance claim alleging that the pre-existing damage occurred after he obtained the insurance coverage.  Nguyen’s intent was to receive insurance benefits to which he was not entitled.  Nguyen was arrested on July 20, 2022.

Sang Nguyen (Photo courtesy of the Polk County Jail)

Following his guilty plea, Nguyen received a five year suspended prison sentence and was placed on supervised probation for two years.  Nguyen was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,025.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department have issued a report on arrests and citations covering the Sept. 26 through Oct. 9, time-frame. Most recently….

• This past Sunday (Oct. 9), officers arrested 27-year-old Mikenda Ifraim, of Atlantic, for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree.
• Last Friday (10/7), Atlantic Police arrested 22-year-old SK Kovac, of Atlantic, for Harassment in the 2nd Degree.
• On Oct. 6th, 33-year-old Brett Pryor, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges that include: Domestic Abuse Assault (3rd or subsequent offense); Interference with Official Acts; Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations; Public Intoxication, and Disorderly Conduct.
• Atlantic Police arrested 24-year-old Kimboy Alian, of Atlantic, on Oct. 5th, for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, and Public Intoxication.
• 26-year-old GLove Kovac, of Atlantic, was arrested Oct. 4th, on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear.
• 22-year-old Justin Rollin, of Atlantic, and 35-year-old Michael Leeper, of Adair, were arrested in Atlantic Oct. 3rd, on separate charges. Rollin was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. He was released at the scene with a citation; Leeper was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
• On Oct. 1st, officers with the APD arrested 48-year-old Dan Christensen, of Atlantic, for: Public Intox.; Interference w/Official Acts; Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree; Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations; Assault; Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia.
• Sept. 27th, Atlantic Police arrested 23-year-old Rosemary Moses, of Atlantic, for Disorderly Conduct.
• And, on the 26th, 19-year-old Myson Kovac, of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 3rd Degree.

With the exception of Justin Rollin, Rosemary Moses, Michael Leeper, GLove Kovac and Mikenda Ifraim, each of the other individuals mentioned remained held in the Cass County Jail, as of Thursday morning.

Police in Creston (IA) report a man was arrested Wednesday morning. Authorities say 34-year-old Jeffrey Michael Hoffman, of Shannon City, was arrested at around 9-a.m.. for Violation of Probation. Hoffman was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond.