Friday, November 1st
1:39am: An officer encounter a male at Sparky’s (606 Highway 30 East) that had the strong odor of marijuana coming from his person. The officer made contact with the male and identified him as Michael Clement of Boone, Iowa. The officer located suspected marijuana on Michael’s person. Criminal charges are pending on lab results.
2:55am: An officer responded to 108 East Central Street Lot #58 for a report of a verbal argument between Lauren Schulte and Trent Ray.
9:32am: Donna Dornath spoke with an officer about health issues involving a family member.
10:02am: Jennifer Happe spoke with an officer about ongoing issues she had been having with her neighbor.
10:26am: An officer assisted the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office with locating the owner of a vehicle that had been broken down in Dallas County for several days.
12:30pm: Craig Burbank reported a semi running a stop sign at the intersection of Grimmell Road and West Lincoln Way.
1:51pm: Marcus Long spoke with an officer about a compromised Facebook account.
3:15pm: Emily Chiafos reported receiving a forged check for Mark Mendenhall of Fort Dodge. This was in connection with an ongoing investigation of forgery. (See below Arrest Warrant information for Mark Mendenhall and Heather Schulz).
5:21pm: As a result of a traffic stop in the 1100 block of Westwood Drive, Damon Zimple of Minneapolis, Minnesota was arrested for an outstanding Greene County Arrest Warrant for Theft – 5th Degree – Simple Misdemeanor.
Saturday, November 2nd
12:12am: On Friday, November 1st, at 2331 hours, Grand Junction Fire & Rescue was
dispatched to a residence in Grand Junction for a medical call. A Jefferson Police Officer overheard radio traffic between the Grand Junction Fire & Rescue Ambulance and Greene County Dispatch as they began traveling to the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson to transport a patient. The officer noticed the driver of the ambulance, who was also the individual completing the radio transmissions to dispatch, was slurring his speech. This male was later identified as Grand Junction Fire Chief, Thomas Launderville. Because slurred speech is a sign of intoxication, the officer investigated further by meeting with the Grand Junction Fire & Rescue Ambulance at the Greene County Medical Center (1000 West Lincoln Way, Jefferson). While at the Greene County Medical Center, the officer spoke with the driver of the ambulance (Thomas) and noticed signs of intoxication. The officer asked Thomas to complete Field Sobriety Tests, which he refused. Thomas Launderville (39) of Grand Junction was subsequently placed under arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated – 2nd Offense – Aggravated Misdemeanor at 0012 hours on November 2nd. Thomas had been convicted for OWI -1st Offense in Greene County District Court that occurred on October 10th , 2014. After being transported to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center, Thomas consented to a breath test which showed he had a BAC of .210%. Thomas was released to the Greene County Jail.
12:17am: An officer investigated the smell of marijuana in the 200 block of South Chestnut Street, but could not locate the source.
7:32am: As a result of a traffic stop at the intersection of South Elm Street and West Madison Street, an officer conducted a probable cause search of a vehicle that was driven by Nicholas Scar of Earlham. The officer detected the smell of marijuana. During the search, the officer located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Criminal charges are pending on lab results.
8:57am: Shannon McHugh reported a dog running at large in the 700 block of West South Street.
1:20pm: Mike Hill spoke with an officer about an issue involving a deer at his residence outside city limits. Mike was directed to the Department of Natural Resources.
3:31pm: As a result of a traffic stop in the 900 block of North Elm Street, Cassandra Eberly of Clarinda was issued a citation for Excessive Speed.
4:07pm: An officer conducted a Field Sobriety Test on a male at 777 Wild Rose Lane, which he subsequently passed.
4:40pm: As a result of a traffic stop in the 600 block of South Olive Street, Maurice Johnson Wigley of Jefferson was issued a citation for Fraudulent Use of Registration.
4:49pm: Dawn Halligan reported two dogs running at large in the 400 block of North Olive Street.
5:35pm: Lauren Schulte spoke with an officer about a civil issue.
6:00pm: As a result of a traffic stop in the 300 block of West Madison Street, Richard Kirschman of Ankeny was issued a citation for Dark Windows.
8:45pm: Corinne Wetzel reported a driver on 220th Street that did not have their lights on.
Sunday, November 3rd
12:32am: An officer located an unlocked business door at 600 East Lincoln Way.
12:59am: As a result of a traffic stop at the intersection of 220th Street and North Mulberry Street, Michael Eastman of Jefferson was issued a citation for Driving While Suspended.
1:12am: An officer responded to 108 West State Street for an alarm. Everything was found to be okay.
1:16am: As a result of a traffic stop at the intersection of 220th and North Mulberry Street, Regan Lamoureux of Jefferson was issued a citation for Violation of Financial Liability Coverage.
7:44am: An officer transported two dogs running at large in the 500 block of East Clark Street to PAWS.
9:00am: On officer responded to the 800 block of West Lincoln Way for a two-vehicle accident. Lorranie Lawrie was backing out of her garage in her 1994 Ford Taurus and struck a parked 2002 GMC pickup owned by Duanne Forkner that was parked in the alley. The Taurus sustained $300 in damage to the left rear corner of the vehicle and the GMC sustained $500 in damages to the front end of the vehicle.
8:50am: An officer responded to South Elm Street and Greenewood Road for cattle that was out and walking through the Jefferson Community Golf Course.
9:15am: An officer spoke with a male at the intersection of Highway 30 and Highway 4 about walking on the highway.
12:41pm: An officer assisted a semi that was having mechanical issues at the intersection of Highway 4 and 30.
2:30pm: An anonymous individual dropped off a lost and found debit card at the front counter of the Law Enforcement Center.
2:31pm: As a result of a traffic stop in the 700 block of North Elm Street, Brooklyn Podell of Nevada was issued a citation for Driving While Suspended and Excessive Speed.
3:28pm: As a result of a traffic stop in the 600 block of East Lincoln Way, Daniel Hagen of Jefferson was issued a citation for Dark Windows.
4:33pm: As a result of a traffic stop in the 1100 block of North Elm Street, Ryan Brown of Jefferson was issued a citation for Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Registration.
5:45pm: An officer responded to the 300 block of North Olive Street for a report of a verbal argument between a male and a female.
6:49pm: As a result of a traffic stop at the intersection of South Maple Street and West South Street, Cassidy Wilson of Scranton was issued a citation for Failure to Obey Stop Sign.
6:57pm: Officers responded to 203 South Grimmell Road for a verbal argument between a male and a female.
6:58pm: An officer responded to 108 East Central Street Lot 58 for a report of a Sexual Assault. An officer is investigating.
7:45pm: An officer responded to the Greene County Medical Center Emergency Room (1000 West Lincoln Way) for a female that was being violent. Lauren Schulte (25) of Jefferson was placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct – Simple Misdemeanor.
********* On October 10th, 2019, staff at Bomgaars (203 West McKinley Street) reported receiving a check from a male and a female that was forged and was on a closed bank account out of Altoona, Iowa. The owner of the stolen checks was also from Altoona. An officer began investigating and determined that this was not the only time these stolen checks were used. They were used at the following establishments from September 29 th to October 11 th , 2019: Circle K gas station in Boone, Iowa. – Amount of $22.74
Bomgaars in Jefferson, Iowa, – Amount $229.62
Fareway in Jefferson, Iowa, – Amount of $82.81
Ninja Sushi Steak House in Fort Dodge, Iowa – Amount of $30.00
Moe’s Mart in Jefferson, Iowa – Amount of $37.51
Sparky’s in Jefferson, Iowa – Amount of $40.00
Casey’s General Store in Jefferson, Iowa – Amount of $20.00
Kwik Trip in Fort Dodge, Iowa – Amount of $102.92
The Repeat Boutique in Fort Dodge, Iowa – Amount of $45.13
Check to Mark Mendenhall, cashed at Legacy Bank in Altoona, Iowa – Amount of $400.00
During the lengthy investigation, it was determined the suspects were Mark Mendenhall (47) of Fort Dodge and Heather Schulz (32) of Algona. It was also determined the checks were stolen from a business at 1710 2 nd Avenue in Des Moines. As a result, Arrest Warrants have been requested for both individuals for the following:
Forgery – D Felony (11 Counts)
Ongoing Criminal Conduct – B Felony
Theft – 3 rd Degree – Aggravated Misdemeanor
Identity Theft – Aggravated Misdemeanor (11 Counts)
The Jefferson Police Department was assisted by the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Officer, Algona Police Department, Ft. Dodge Police Department, Boone Police Department, Altoona Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
***** As a result of an investigation that began on October 6 th, 2019, Robert Kovar (34) of Jefferson was issued a citation for Trespassing at 601 East Lincoln Way.
Note: All charges are merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.