- Highway 163 (October 10, 2008)
- Invitation to the New Polk County Jail Dedication on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 (October 9, 2008)
- Jail Forgery – Formaro Arrested (September 24, 2008)
- Jail Check Forgery (September 22, 2008)
- Catalytic Converter Thefts (September 2, 2008)
- Cherry Glen Drownings (August 25, 2008)
- Re-shipping Scam (August 22, 2008)
- McCauley Autopsy Results (August 8, 2008)
- Body Discovered in Lions Park (August 7, 2008)
- Norwoodville Stabbing and Arrests (August 3, 2008)
- Home Invasion (July 30, 2008)
- North of Bondurant Accident (July 28, 2008)
- Fatal Accident North of Ankeny Update (July 28, 2008)
- Fatal Accidents (July 21 & July 22, 2008)
- Fatal Accident (June 25, 2008)
- Emergency Operation Center (June 10, 2008)
- Asphalt Arrests (June 4, 2008)
- Death Investigation (May 23, 2008)
- Asphalt Pavers Scam (May 16, 2008)
- Home Improvement Scams (May 16, 2008)
- Alleman Accident (May 15, 2008)
The Iowa Department of Transportation and a number of contractors have been involved in a major road improvement project on Highway 163 from near SE Polk High School to near the Metro East landfill. The project began in March and is not expected to be completed until later this year.
This is a major road construction project with single line traffic, head to head traffic, alternating directions and width limits. Complicating travel are highway speeds, stop signals, high traffic volume and the SE Polk Junior/Senior High School campus with a student and staff population of nearly 3000.
The Polk County Sheriff’s office has investigated more than forty (40) accidents in that section of Highway 163 so far in 2008. Some of those accidents have been extremely severe.
Uniform patrols in the area have been increased and we will continue to have a strong presence through out the duration of this project. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office asks motorists to use extra caution while traveling through this very busy work zone.
According to the Iowa DOT:
- U.S. work zone fatalities - 980 per year (10-year average)
- Iowa work zone fatalities - 5.3 per year (10-year average)
- 136 injury crashes occur per year in Iowa work zones
- 224 property damage crashes occur per year in Iowa work zones
- 366 total work zone crashes occur per year in Iowa work zones
- 90% of Iowa work zone crash fatalities are motorists (10 year average)
- 10% of Iowa work zone crash fatalities are DOT or contractor workers (10 year average)
- 75% of Iowa work zone crashes are rear-end crashes
Fines are doubled for moving traffic violations in road work zones. Fines for speeding in work zones could be as high at $1,300.
It is the goal of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to make sure the public and the workers on this project are safe.
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Chicago Police have arrested Anthony John Formaro Jr. who was wanted for Forgery for his involvement in passing checks counterfeited on a Polk County Jail account.
Formano was arrested yesterday by the Chicago Police after they received a call of a suspicious vehicle and found Formaro inside.
Formaro is expected to make a court appearance in Chicago today. Extradition procedures will be pending that court appearance.
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives have filed charges on a counterfeit check scheme for a check that was manufactured using a Polk County Jail account number. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was notified on Thursday by Community State Bank that a counterfeit check had been presented at the Fareway store located at 100 Euclid on September 18, 2008. The check, which appeared to have been printed on a computer, had the bank routing and the account number of the Polk County Jail Division Inmate Account.
The check was made payable to Anthony John Formaro Jr. who was recently in the Polk County jail and released on August 31, 2008 on theft and traffic charges. When he was released, Formaro was given a check written on the Polk County Jail Division Inmate Account in the amount of $64.00.
Polk County Sheriff’s detectives have identified and charged Anthony John Formaro Jr. with Forgery.
Formaro is currently wanted on the outstanding Forgery warrant. Detectives also believe Formaro is responsible for passing other counterfeit checks including others counterfeited on the Polk County Jail account in the Des Moines area and other charges are pending.
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, has seen a rash of thefts reported catalytic converters. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has reports of 15 thefts since May. Residents and businesses alike are learning first-hand the growing problem of catalytic converter thefts.
There have been 30 cases reported to the Des Moines Police and 10 to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office totaling nearly 90 individual stolen catalytic converters. The Des Moines Police had 25 taken at one location.
Common targets are cars, trucks and other vehicles which have a high clearance and easily accessible. Thieves often target businesses where multiple vehicles are parked for extended periods of time and left unobservable to passing traffic. These areas might include auto dealerships, park-n-ride locations, industrial areas and school, business or mall parking lots.
With the right set of tools such a socket set or a battery powered reciprocating saw, a catalytic converter can be removed in a couple of minutes. They can be worth as much as $200 but can cost far more to replace. The dollar loss to each of the victims in a catalytic converter theft can range from $1,000 - $2,000 depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Thieves seem to be after the metals inside which include platinum, rhodium and palladium. They can sell the stolen catalytic converters to scrap yards or auto repair shops for re-sale to the consumer.
This trend is not unique to one area in Polk County. Requests from other law enforcement agencies across the state are commonly seeking suspect information to assist them in similar investigations. Unfortunately there is not much that can be done in terms of protection from these thefts. The best advice is to keep vehicles garaged or parked in well lighted and/or high visibility areas if possible. If you see someone underneath a parked vehicle, especially late at night or other times when there are no other people around, call 911 and report it immediately. We always encourage you to call your local law enforcement agency if you notice any suspicious activity.
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Polk County Sheriff’s deputies and the Polk City and Ankeny Fire Departments were called on Sunday, August 23, at 6:23 p.m. on a possible drowning incident at the Cherry Glen Boat Ramp located at Saylorville Lake.
Witnessed reported a single swimmer had gone under the water and a second swimmer who had attempted to aide the first swimmer had also gone under. Fire Departments from Ankeny and Polk City as well as Polk County Sheriff’s deputies all responded. One victim was removed from the water and the second victim was located a short time later. When removed from the water, both were unconscious. The swimmers were out 10-15 yards from shore in a non-recognized swimming area between the upper and lower Cherry Glenn boat ramp.
Bystanders, law enforcement and EMS personnel from Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk City Police Department, and the Ankeny and Polk City fire departments rendered aid at the scene. Both swimmers were transported to Des Moines hospitals in critical condition. One teen was taken to Mercy Medical Center and one to Methodist Medical Center.
Both swimmers have now died as a result of this incident. They are identified as Luis Adrian Acosta age 17 and Marissa Marie Paca age 16 both of Ankeny.
Ankeny school officials have made arrangements to have grief counselors at Ankeny High School to meet with students.
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A Des Moines woman answered an online advertisement for a work from home opportunity and was soon in the middle of an online criminal enterprise that has ties to the Russian Mafia. Alexis Duncan of 3848 E.14th Street in Des Moines had a work from home job turned out to be an internet scam called “re-shipping”.
Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives uncovered the re-shipping scam involving Duncan and a company calling itself Lithutronics. Lithutronics, reportedly operating from Lithuania, was seeking persons that wanted to work from home and make $20.00 per package to receive and re-ship packages. Polk County Sheriff’s’ Detectives learned the items, mostly high-grade electronics, were purchased on the internet with stolen credit cards, shipped to Duncan and then re-shipped to various locations throughout Eastern Europe.
Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives have executed a search warrant and recovered approximately $5,000 worth of electronics which were purchased with stolen credit cards some having Des Moines area victims. Duncan told Sheriff’s Detectives she had shipped 35-50 packages since she started in May of 2008.
Re-shipping scams involve the receiving and reshipping of merchandise ordered online to locations usually overseas. The shipper is sometimes an unwilling participant and ships merchandise which has been purchased with stolen, fraudulent or counterfeit credit cards. According to the Unites States Secret Service criminals connected to the Russian Mafia are responsible for stealing the credit cards and helping set up the online business fronts.
One of the methods used frequently to entice victims to unwillingly take part in this scam is through the use of help wanted advertisements posted on popular internet job search sites. As part of the process, the prospective employee is required to provide all of his/her personal information, including social security number and date of birth. Once this employee is "hired," they immediately begin receiving packages at their residence and are then responsible for repackaging and shipping the merchandise abroad.
In the case of Duncan, the packages were shipped to Eastern European countries that were previously part of the Soviet Union. Duncan was paid via a Western Union money order which is sometimes difficult to trace. Payments to these “employees” usually arrive in the form of a third party or cashiers check instead of a regular paycheck. Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives do not believe Duncan was a knowing participant in this scam although the investigation is ongoing.
This is the second re-shipping case Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives have investigated this summer.
The following is the e-mail Duncan received from the company:
From: Lithutronics LTG (lithutronics@gawab.com)
To:
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 7:39:34 AM
Subject: Job opportunity
Good day!
Lithutronics LTG is an international consumer distribution company. On the market since 1991, headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Our company now is expanding our trading and warehouse networks and we need more employees occupied in logistics.
Current positions available require working at home or at your office.
The tasks you are to perform are not complicated and can be carried out easily.
The major tasks to perform are:
assisting in planning and directing the cargo to/from foreign destinations;
calculate tariffs, weight and volume of merchandise that is imported or exported to exact region;
process all requests for extensions, expiration, cancellation or any other additional information;
examine invoices, postage bills to ensure compliance with the exact data and federal regulations;
provide accurate and timely information to the supervisor.
The average salary you can get is $400-$1500 and more a month due to the business activity period and your time planning. The work does not require
full-time employment and can be carried out simultaneously with some other job.
If you are interested, please reply with Application message subject for details.
Thank you for your interest,
Jonas Narvas, HR manager
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An autopsy was preformed yesterday on Daniel McCauley whose body was found Wednesday night in Loin’s Park in Grimes.
The Polk County Medial Examiners office found no indications of foul play and at this time the death is not believed to be suspicious. Complete toxicology test and reports are being completed, however they could take several weeks.
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About 6:00 p.m. last night, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Lion’s Park in the 600 block of North Park Street in Grimes. A person walking in the park discovered a body just off the walking path in a small creek. There was also a bicycle nearby.
The body has been identified as Daniel (no middle name) McCauley, age 55 of 1105 N. Jacob in Grimes. McCauley was known to ride his bicycle around the neighborhood and McCauley’s home was a short distance from the park where his body was found.
Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives have determined McCauley was last seen at his home around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday evening. Detectives are working to determine how the man died and at this time are not able to determine whether foul play was involved.
An Autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
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An early morning confrontation lead to an argument and a stabbing that sent four people to the hospital and two people to the Polk County Jail.
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the 2700 block of NE Norwood Lane at 1:11 am this morning on a stabbing. When deputies arrive deputies found four people had been stabbed. Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives believe the incident started when Johnathon Shawn Trigg and his girlfriend, Cody Lynn Cockerham were walking home from a party to their home at 3228 NE Aurora.
Words were exchanged and an argument started with a group of people at 2771 NE Norwood Lane. Some of the group from 2771 NE Norwood Lane went into the street and a fight started between Johnathon Trigg at least one person from the Norwood Lane address.
As others from the Norwood Lane group tried to break up the fight, Cody Cockerham pulled out a knife and started stabbing people. The injuries were described as serious.
Charged were:
- Cody Lynn Cockerham, DOB 10/25/83, three counts of Attempt to Commit Murder
- Jonathan Shawn Trigg, DOB 6/08/1985, Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct
The following were treated at Des Moines Hospitals for stab wounds:
- Anthony Miklus, DOB 4/24/89 of 4720 94th in Urbandale
- Larry Ruby III, DOB 3/10/82 of 2765 NE Norwood Lane
- Jason Benton, DOB 12/12/87 of 2771 NE Norwood Lane
- Cody Reinier, DOB 3/20/76 of 2789 NE Norwood Lane
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Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating an early morning home invasion. Deputies were called to a rural Polk County home SE of Pleasant Hill. The two elderly victims reported that someone knocked on their door just before dawn this morning. When they answered the door, a male subject told them he had just hit a cow and asked to use the phone.
After the suspect was allowed in, he pulled a gun on the victims asked where any money might be in the house. A female accomplice with whom the male communicated via walkie-talkie also entered the house and the two suspects searched the home for money. Detectives and the victim are working to determine what was taken from the home. The victims were not injured.
Sheriff’s detectives are looking for a white male in his 30’s dressed in western clothing, a large belt buckle and a dark cowboy hat and a female.
Due to the nature of the event, the victims are concerned for their welfare and request no additional information be released at this time.
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Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to investigate a serious accident that injured four people two of which were air lifted to Des Moines hospitals. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the intersection of NE 94th Ave and NE 56th Street, north of Bondurant just before 1:00pm.
A maroon Pontiac Bonneville driven by Julie Warner, age 51 of Mingo was northbound on NE 56th street, failed to stop at the stop sign colliding with an east bound Buick being driven by Stephanie Hutchins, age 19 of Bondurant. Both cars came to rest in a corn field northeast of the intersection.
Bondurant Fire/Rescue had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate Julie Warner from her vehicle. Warner was then transported by ground ambulance to Mercy Medical Center.
Stephanie Hutchins was air lifted to Mercy Medical Center. Passengers in the Hutchins car were Rachael Chiayuliang-Newton- age 24, who was also airlifted to Methodist Medial Center and Cole Newton age 24 both of Bondurant. Cole Newton was taken to Mercy Medical Center by ground ambulance.
Conditions of the injured are unknown at this time.
The investigation is continuing and charges are pending.
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The second victim in last week’s fatal accident has now been identified. The fatal accident occurred just before 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon July 22nd. at the intersection of NE 22nd Street and NE 126th Ave north of Ankeny.
The driver has now been identified as Filip Djuric age 16. Djuric, a student from Serbian was in the United States on a 2 month Visa and was staying with Gregory J. Ewy, age 54 of 1005 SE Hayes Dr. in Ankeny. Ewy was also killed in the accident.
Ewy’s Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Djuric was southbound on NE 22nd Street, failed to stop at a stop sign at NE 126th Ave and was struck by a westbound semi. Both vehicles burst into flames and came to rest in a ditch west of the intersection. The semi driver, Allen Mattheis, age 46 of Massena was not injured.
Dental records were used to identify Ewy and Djuric.
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Polk County Sheriff's Deputies have investigated two fiery traffic accidents that killed 3 people in less than 24 hours.
The first accident occurred Monday night around 8:00 p.m. on SE 64th Ave (Army Post Road) at the Highway 65 Bypass. Matthew Scott Hall, age 24 of 505 N. 2nd in Carlisle was killed when the vehicle he was driving struck the Highway 65 Bypass bridge and burst into flames. Hall died at the scene and was alone in his car at the time of the accident. Positive identification was made through dental records. The accident remains under investigation.
The second fatal accident occurred just before 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The accident happened at the intersection of NE 22nd Street and NE 126th Ave north of Ankeny. A Volkswagen Jetta that was southbound on NE 22nd Street failed to stop at a stop sign at NE 126th Ave and was struck by a westbound semi. Both vehicles burst into flames and came to rest in a ditch west of the intersection. The driver and passenger in the car were killed. The semi driver, Allen Mattheis, age 46 of Massena was not injured.
The passenger and owner of the Jetta has been identified as Gregory J. Ewy, age 54 of 1005 SE Hayes Dr. in Ankeny. At this time the driver has not to be identified. Dental records were used to identify Ewy and will be necessary to identify the second victim.
Both accidents remain under investigation.
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Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of Marissa Hagan, age 21 of 229 13th Street in Boone. The accident occurred in the 15800 block of NW 16th Street in northern Polk County approximately 8:50 p.m. Sunday night.
According to witness reports, the vehicle was northbound on NW 16th street at a high rate of speed when it ran a stop sign at the intersection of NW 16th and NW 158th Ave, collided with a bridge and came to rest in the ditch in front of 15960 NW 16th.
Marissa Hagan died at the scene. A second occupant, Benjamin Holteen age 25, of 409 W. 17th in Boone, refused treatment at the scene by medics.
In addition to speed, Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating if alcohol was a factor. It is not clear at this time which of the occupants was driving at the time of the accident.
The accident is under investigation.
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In anticipation of flooding conditions in the Des Moines Metro area and cities within Polk County, the Emergency Operation Center was opened on Monday, June 9, 2008. The EOC location at Forest Avenue will serve as a command center for the Polk County Emergency Management Agency. The Emergency Operation Center will consist of a unified command that represents the local governments within Polk County and Polk County government. Law enforcement agencies, the Polk County Public Health Department, The Army Corps of Engineers, Public Works, Fire Departments and other public service entities within Polk County make up the team to coordinate emergency operational activities and the release of important information for the safety and well being of the public. At 10:00am, 3:00pm and 8:00pm we will hold daily informational press conferences to provide updates on potential flooding conditions, contingency planning of the EOC, resources for residents affected by flooding, shelter locations, street closings, and safety advisories.
The press conferences will be held at the Polk County Human Services Department at 1914 Carpenter Avenue in Conference Room A. A public information office for the EOC has been set up at the command center. The telephone number is 515 875-5563 for media contacts only.
Citizens are asked to avoid affected areas as work is underway regarding flood control operations. As always, citizens should work through their local governments to address concerns or issues pertaining to their homes and families.
The first press conference will be held today at 3:00pm at 1914 Carpenter.
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Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Palmyra, Missouri have arrested James Lester Culp II and Kevin Leroy Todd on May 30th. The two were members of a group of asphalt pavers who were charged by Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives following a scamming complaint.
On May 16th, Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives charged James Lester Culp II, Date of Birth, 12/18/80 and Kevin Leroy Todd, Date of Birth 6/25/82 of Hannibal Missouri with Theft in the Second Degree and Extortion. Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives worked closely with a number of law enforcement agencies in areas around the Midwest and as far as east as South Carolina and Tennessee the pair were known to frequent.
Both men have bonded out of Jail in Missouri but are expected to make Polk County court appearances on Monday afternoon.
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Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives have released the name of the victim in the death investigation being conducted at 4340 NW 1st Street in Saylor Township.
Detectives have identified the victim as Margaret Ellen Feige, (Pronounced Fi-gee) age 88. Ms. Feige lived at 4340 NW 1st Street. Detectives were called to the home around 7:00 a.m. on May 22nd. The victim’s body was found inside the home.
An autopsy was conducted on Friday morning. The death is being investigated as suspicious. Results of the autopsy and additional information are not being released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.
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Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives have filed felony charges on members of a Hannibal, Missouri group of asphalt pavers following a scamming complaint. Toby Redner of 414 NE 60th Ave was approached by a group identifying themselves as ELW Construction and told Mr. Redner they had some leftover asphalt from another job and could asphalt his driveway for $1300.
Even though the work was not performed as agreed upon, the men told Mr. Redner the bill was going to be $9,292. When Mr. Redner told the men he could not afford that amount, they told Mr. Redner they were all driving to the bank and he was paying the amount. The men drove Mr. Redner to the U.S. Bank at 2500 East Euclid and went into the bank with Mr. Redner while Redner drew a cashier’s check for $9,292.
Polk County Sheriff’s Detectives alerted Des Moines area asphalt suppliers and were able to locate and identify the suspects. Detectives also impounded some of the vehicles used by this group which had a number of DOT violations.
Polk County Detectives have charged James Lester Culp II, Date of Birth, 12/18/80 and Kevin Leroy Todd, Date of Birth 6/25/82. Both men are from Hannibal, Missouri. Culp and Todd have prior similar arrests in South Carolina. The group has also operated under the name of Asphalt Products in Missouri and Tennessee.
Both men have been charged with Theft in the Second Degree and Extortion. Although criminal charges have been filed the two men are not in custody.
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It’s spring and the time of year that many homeowners consider home improvement projects. It’s also the time of year for scam artists. Many of these home improvement “contractors” target unwary consumers or the elderly. They use high-pressure techniques and sometimes coercion to sell unnecessary and overpriced “home improvements”.
Home Improvement scams often involve a traveling repair group who knocks on your door and says they noticed your home is deteriorating and needs some painting or repairs. They may say they have left-over material from another job and can do your repair work at a considerable savings. The left-over material offered may be stolen, defective, misrepresented or improperly applied. In general they are not a certified or legitimate repair person.
Better known as "Gypsy Pavers" or “Irish Travelers”, these itinerants travel across the country with their families in trucks and motor homes, most with out-of-state license plates. Their method of operation is to use fictitious company names with a phone number which also could be fictitious. They will also not use a real physical address on the truck’s signs.
The public should always resist the impulse to grab this "bargain” and when in doubt consult with the Better Business Bureau or another reputable company that supplies a similar service. Rule number one when dealing with home improvement contractors: Be wary of a salesperson that appears at your door uninvited. Many of these improvement con artists employ different techniques in their sales pitch:
- They offer low prices for an item and later tell you that the item was out of stock and can only be replaced by a more expensive substitute
- They add hidden extra charges above the agreed upon price of the work
- They misrepresent the terms of financing
- They misrepresent the urgency of the suggested repair
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reminds you:
- Never rush into signing a contract, especially in your home. If it’s a really good deal, it will still be a good deal tomorrow. Make sure you read the contract in full. Beware of a salesperson who insists you sign the contract right away.
- Never sign a contract that has blanks allowing an unscrupulous salesperson to go in later and put in a different amount than was agreed to orally.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the company has complaints against them and more importantly if those complaints have been settled to the customer’s satisfaction.
- If you are in doubt, ask a friend or relative for their opinion before you sign a contract or agreement to have work done.
- Do business with a company you know or a company you have researched. Use a company who has been recommended to you by someone you know or a company that has a history locally.
There are many reputable home improvement contractors who have many years of experience in our local community. Make sure to work with them rather than the “here today and gone tomorrow” and could be con artists. If you feel you have been scammed or if someone you suspect is a scammer has come to your door, call your local law enforcement. Make sure the only thing you pay them is a visit.
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Polk County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating an early morning traffic accident that injured two people and forced the closure of Highway 69 near Alleman for nearly two hours.
Deputies were initially called after a witness reported a bloodied man in a farm field in the area. When Deputies arrived in the 11,000 block of NE 14th street (highway 69) near Alleman, they discovered a male victim had been involved in a serious traffic accident. Deputies also discovered a vehicle with a female victim trapped inside.
The occupant had to be extricated from the vehicle. The female occupant told deputies there were three occupants at the time of the crash. An extensive air and ground search were unable to locate any additional victims and at this time deputies believe the vehicle only contained the two who were found at the scene.
Deputies believe the Chevrolet Tahoe was northbound when it left the roadway, struck a sign and went airborne and came to rest on the embankment of a creek. Deputies are investigating whether the driver may have fallen asleep or whether alcohol may have been a factor.
One victim was transported to the hospital by ground ambulance and the second was transported by air ambulance. The extent of their injuries is not known at this time. The injuries are not believed to be life threatening although one of the victims is in critical, but stable condition.
At this time the identities of the victims have not been released.