“We’re all in this together.” That’s the message from Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, who understands that whatever efforts his officers make in curbing criminal activity and/or solving crimes, can be greatly enhanced when community members are part of the solution.

It’s also why an upcoming event this week — National Night Out — is the perfect opportunity for fellowship and communication between residents and area law enforcement.

From 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Marshall County Crime Stoppers and the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA will be hosting its first annual National Night Out event at the Marshalltown Y’s parking lot, 108 Washington St.,

Area law enforcement officials will be on hand to interact with community members and answer questions regarding local efforts to combat crime. Community partners and law enforcement will be grilling hot dogs. There will be free T-shirts available for the first 100 attendees ad an area bike trail will also be in use for an informal community walk.

National Night Out is an community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

And let’s be clear — there’s a lot to be proud of here in Marshall County when it comes to law enforcement.

We have tremendous leaders in Tupper, Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman, State Center Police Chief Bunn and Melbourne’s Mike Ball, who lead top-notch agencies in the protection of all our citizens.

And with the recent successes of the Marshall County Crime Stoppers organization, helping to solve a number of crimes with the help of concerned citizens, we’re demonstrating the importance of working together.

“It’s my belief that in any community, everybody has a responsibility … we need to have partnerships with everyone to help combat crime,” Tupper told me.

And Crime Stoppers officials are looking forward to the upcoming event noting that they are “excited to work with community members, business partners and area law enforcement with the goals of enhancing community safety and promoting Marshall County communities as a safe place to live, work and raise a family.”

“We can’t be everywhere at once, we really need the community to help us solve crimes. Crime Stoppers has been a great example of a community partnership,” Tupper added.

So, I’m hopeful that there will be a good turnout Tuesday. Sharing ideas, working together and showcasing the importance of community accountability will demonstrate why those who wish to do harm or ignore the rules of society will not and cannot win if we all stick together.

As a wise sage once told me: “Mano y mano, poco a poco, vamos a ganar.” Hand in hand, little by little, we will win.

——–
Courtesy of the Marshalltown Times-Republican.
Contact Jeff Hutton at 641-753-6611 or [email protected]

On 07/25/2017 at approximately 0817 hours, a witness in the area of Casey’s (111 North 3 rd Ave) observed what they believed to be a stolen vehicle (1966 Ford GT40 Replica) driving in the area. Marshalltown Police, with assistance from Marshall County Deputies, were able to stop the vehicle nearby without incident. During their investigation, Officers determined that the stopped vehicle was stolen and that the color of the vehicle had been changed since the incident was reported. Officers also located narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia in the driver’s possession at the time of their arrest. Officers arrested:   

Patrick Allen Chamberlin- Age 48
321 North 3 rd  Street
Marshalltown

• Theft 1 st  Degree - Class “C” Felony
• 2 Counts- Possession of a Controlled Substance 3 rd  or Subsequent Offense – Class “D” Felonies
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Simple Misdemeanor
• 3 Miscellaneous Traffic Offenses – Simple Misdemeanors

Mr. Chamberlin is also being held on additional charges unrelated to the stolen vehicle stop
and part of an ongoing criminal investigation:

• Ongoing Criminal Conduct-Unlawful Activity – Class “B” Felony
• 13 Counts- Forgery – Class “D” Felonies
• 4 Counts- Theft 4 th  Degree – Serious Misdemeanors
• 9 Counts- Theft 5 th  Degree – Simple Misdemeanors
• Miscellaneous Traffic Offense – Simple Misdemeanor
• Mr. Chamberlin was taken to the Marshall County Jail.

This  incident  remains  under  investigation.  If  anyone  in  the  community  has  information regarding  this  investigation,  they  are  asked  to  call  the  Marshalltown  Police  Department  at 641.754.5725 or Marshall County Crime Stoppers at 641.753.1234.

Questions  regarding  this  media  release  may  be  directed  to  Captain  Chris  Jones  by  calling 641.754.5758 or via email at [email protected].

(A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)

Courtesy of the Marshalltown Police Department

The Marshalltown Police Department is looking for this vehicle.

 This is a 1966 Ford GT40 Replica. It was reported stolen on July 25. It has possibly been missing since July 21.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
One sticker on the back-Oval sticker, 3 inches in diameter that says CZ with a small flag of the Czech Republic in the center of the sticker.

The windshield has multiple stickers on it from tech inspection-Road America.

Real Spin Off Wheels.

If you have information about this stolen vehicle please contact Marshall County Crime Stoppers. Tips may be submitted by calling (641) 753-1234, via text by texting the word “marshall” followed by the tip to CRIMES (274637), or online at www.marshallcountycs.com. All tips are completely anonymous and could earn a reward of up to $1,000 if the tip results in an arrest.

On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, Marshall County Crime Stoppers and the Marshalltown Y will be hosting the first annual National Night Out event from 5:30-7:00 p.m.  This event will be held in the Marshalltown Y parking lot located at 108 Washington Street in Marshalltown.  The area bike trail will also be in use for an informal community walk.  Area law enforcement will be on hand to interact with community members and answer questions regarding local efforts to combat crime.  Community partners and law enforcement will be grilling hot dogs.  There will be free t-shirts available for the first 100 attendees.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

Marshall County Crime Stoppers is proud to support the first National Night Out event in Marshalltown.  Crime Stoppers is excited to work with community members, business partners and area law enforcement with the goals of enhancing community safety and promoting Marshall County communities as a safe place to live, work and raise a family.  Please join us on August 1!

The man accused in a stabbing incident late last month is now in custody.

The Marshalltown Police Department reported that Vincent James Martinez, 24, turned himself in to the authorities early Thursday morning.

Police had been asking for the public’s help in locating Martinez, who they believe is responsible for a stabbing incident which left another man seriously injured.

According to the MPD, at about 10 a.m. June 29, officers responded to the UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown emergency room on a report of a stabbing victim seeking treatment. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim was unable to provide any suspect information as they were undergoing medical treatment and surgery. A witness, who took the victim to the emergency room, provided officers with a possible crime scene location — South 5th Street and West Boone Street, and limited suspect information.

MPD Capt. Brian Batterson said according to the witness, the stabbing took place in an alley near the intersection, but officers were unable to locate a crime scene, in part, because heavy rains following the incident may have washed away any possible evidence. Over the next several days, MPD detectives conducted several more witness interviews, executed a search warrant and interviewed the victim after they were released from intensive care.

The follow-up interviews and investigation led to the identification of Martinez as the suspect and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Batterson said the victim and Martinez were familiar with each other and an argument between the two apparently led to the stabbing. “This was not a random crime,” he added.

Martinez made his initial court appearance later Thursday morning, formally charged with attempted murder, a Class B felony. A preliminary hearing has been set for 1 p.m. July 31.

He is currently being held at the Marshall County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.

Courtesy of the Marshalltown Times-Republican.

$20,000 in donations being sought

In less than two years, Marshall County Crime Stoppers has helped take a number of criminals off the streets, with anonymous tips resulting in several arrests of high-profile crimes.

Now Crime Stoppers is asking for help from Marshall County businesses, individuals and organizations to do even more.

The crime-fighting organization established locally in September of 2015, has been contacting Marshall County businesses and individuals recently, asking them to help pay for the installation of security, not-traffic cameras throughout Marshall County to identify perpetrators and deter crime.

Crime Stoppers is closing in on its goal, with firm commitments of $20,000 each from the city of Marshalltown and Marshall County in hand.

Project cost

The cost of installing a basic system of cameras throughout the county is approximately $58,000, according to RACOM, Inc. of Marshalltown.

Crime Stoppers directors recommended the city and county commit $20,000 each, with Crime Stoppers putting up another $20,000.

“Safety cameras have been so successful in other Iowa cities our size, both in deterring crime and in identifying criminals, that Marshalltown and the surrounding cities need to install them,” said MCCS board member and Marshalltown Second Ward Councilor Joel Greer. “We need the community to contribute $20,000 to match the county and city grants for this project.”

Funding sources

Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman believed so strongly in Crime Stoppers and the county-wide security camera project he took $20,000 from his 2016-17 department budget and applied it as the Marshall County share.

County supervisors Bill Patten, David Thompson and Steve Salasek officially supported Hoffman’s efforts at its June 28 meeting.

“Technology plays a significant role in crime-fighting,” Hoffman said.

In March, the Marshalltown City Council voted unanimously, 7-0, to pledge $20,000 contingent upon Crime Stoppers formally committing their share as well as Marshall County.

MCCS director and Times-Republican Publisher/GM Mike Schlesinger in two presentations to the city council, said the cameras would be for security only — and not traffic enforcement.

He additionally promised only law enforcement would have access to data.

Schlesinger said the Marshall County plan is modeled after Dubuque’s successful initiative.

Dubuque started with a basic system, and due to its popularity, has expanded significantly.

Dubuque’s basic system was installed by RACOM, and that company was also hired to provide equipment and installation expertise for several expansions.

Promotion

Crime Stoppers board members have been promoting the safety cameras to local governments and residents since last year.

Rural communities Haverhill, Melbourne and State Center recently endorsed the project, said MCCS board member and KDAO/AM/FM/TV owner Mark Osmundson.

Osmundson told the supervisors he and other board members hoped to visit other county towns.

About MCCS

Crime Stoppers is a national organization with local chapters offering cash rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The crime fighting initiative creates a cash incentive for tipsters to report information – and they can do it anonymously via an online form, text message or telephone call.

Tipsters can submit data pertaining to a potential suspect’s name, address, race, gender, height, weight, age, hair color, scars and marks, tattoos, clothing or animal ownership.

That information is sent to a third-party server before being rerouted to law enforcement, said Marshalltown Police Department Capt. Chris Jones.

“I have access and another police captain in our office has access and a series of other investigators that receive tips” he said.

Jones said he forwards promising tips to personnel assigned to the cases to which the tips pertain. Importantly, the cash incentives come completely from private donations.

Crime Stoppers tips can be submitted by telephone, text message or an Internet website.

The Crime Stoppers phone line is answered at all hours, seven days a week, at 641-753-1234. Calls are answered by Marshall County Communications Center operators.

Text messages can be sent to 247637 (CRIMES).

Tips can be submitted online at www.marshallcountycs.com.

The results, according to county law enforcement officials, are measured in the number of tips made and later, arrests and convictions.

“Crime Stoppers has exceeded my expectations, that is for sure,” said Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper. “It has been helpful, and has made our community safer.”

MCCS officers are Osmundson, Chair;  Greer, vice chair; Schlesinger, treasurer; Tami Lichtenberg, secretary; and Larry Raymon, fund-raising. Board members are Todd Steinkamp, Ellen Bergman, Carol Hibbs, Mike Miller, Carlos Portes and Holly Reimenschneider.

Crime Stoppers is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax deductible. Send to: 112 W. Church St., Marshalltown, 50158. For more information, visit marshallcountycs.com.

Courtesy of the Marshalltown Times-Republican,  MIKE DONAHEY Staff Reporter [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE: 07/12/17

On June 29, 2017 about 10:00 pm, the Marshalltown Police Department responded to UnityPoint Health emergency room on the report of a stabbing victim seeking treatment. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim was unable to provide any suspect information as they were undergoing medical treatment and surgery. A witness, who took the victim to the emergency room, provided officers with a possible crime scene location, S 5th St. & W. Boone St, and limited suspect information.

According to the witness, the stabbing took place in an alley near the intersection, but officers were unable to locate a crime scene. Over the next several days, Detectives conducted several more witness interviews, executed a search warrant and interviewed the victim after they were released from intensive care.

The follow up interviews and investigation led to the identification of a suspect and an arrest warrant. Vincent James Martinez is wanted by police for attempted murder. Mr. Martinez is described as a 24 year old Hispanic male, 5’4” 125 pounds, brown eyes and black hair. Mr. Martinez has a tattoo on his right forearm “Martinez” and a tattoo on his left forearm “Juan Munoz”. The attached photo is approximately two years old, so Martinez’s appearance may have changed slightly.

If anyone knows the location of Mr. Martinez tips may be submitted by calling (641) 753-1234, via text by texting the word “marshall” followed by the tip to CRIMES (274637), or online at www.marshallcountycs.com. All tips are completely anonymous and could earn a reward of up to $1,000 if the tip results in an arrest.

For more information, please contact Captain Brian Batterson by calling 641.754.5729 or via email at [email protected]