The possibility of security cameras placed throughout the county was discussed Tuesday by the Marshall County Board of Supervisors.

Action was also taken to approve a Zoning Commission decision to deny changes to an ordinance concerning business signs.

“We’re suggesting we start with about nine cameras,” said Mike Schlesinger, publisher and general manager of the Times-Republican. He spoke to the board on behalf of Marshall County Crime Stoppers, of which he acts as treasurer.

The nine suggested cameras may be placed in “pinch points,” Schlesinger said, and the network they would be connected to could expand to allow many more cameras in the future.

Ken Fleege of Dubuque’s Racom location spoke to the board about the costs and benefits of such cameras.

“It has definitely solved a lot of crime, it has definitely moved a lot of crime,” Fleege said of the Dubuque area camera system. “Dubuque (cameras) are all one network.”

The city has about 1,500 security cameras in use via the school district, city and county.

Fleege showed the board several examples of the cameras in use throughout Dubuque, including a semi trailer accident and part of a police suspect apprehension.

In the proposition, the new cameras and those already in place, such as at the Marshall County Courthouse, could be part of a single network provided by Milestone Systems.

According to a Racom estimate, the project would cost about $57,322. Schlesinger said Crime Stoppers will cover a third of that cost if the city of Marshalltown and Marshall County cover the other two thirds, respectively.

The initial proposed network of nine cameras, Fleege said, could be widely expanded because the network is set up to add cameras in the future.

Schlesinger said advice from the sheriff’s office and city police would help guide where and how the cameras are used, if the project is approved.

“(Local law enforcement) would have a lot more input as to where the cameras would go,” he said.

No action was taken by the supervisors on the project, which is still in the planning stage.

Courtesy of the Marshalltown Times-Republican, Adam Sodders, Staff Reporter.

A Marshall County man well known to local law enforcement and previously on the run for more than 3-1/2 months last year, is on the run again.

Authorities issued a warrant last week for Chad Matthew Bryant, 29, alleging he violated the terms of his probation stemming from multiple criminal cases in Marshall County. Bryant walked away from a court-ordered treatment facility in the Des Moines area and has not been seen since.

Bryant was the subject of several highly-publicized incidents involving the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Marshalltown Police Department.

He began his run from the law April 2, 2015, after an assault on a Des Moines television station’s cameraman by pouring water on his head.

Two television crews were camped outside Bryant’s Le Grand home preparing to do reports for the noon news as a result of an April 1 incident involving Bryant when he exited the house and confronted the cameraman.

Bryant, his girlfriend Kylie Price, and four others were first arrested early the morning of April 1 on a variety of charges including false imprisonment, child endangerment and drug possession.

Subsequent searches by the sheriff’s office of the house shared by Bryant and Price in Le Grand, as well as two storage units in Marshalltown registered under Bryant’s name, revealed weapons, stolen property and drug paraphernalia.

A second incident in July of 2015, involved a stolen car at an Ames dealership, and resulted in Bryant being apprehended.

But in September of this year, Bryant, facing 82 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 22 charges ranging from child endangerment to burglary to drug possession, was offered strict, supervised probation.

As part of his probation, Bryant was ordered to complete the “Bridges of Iowa” substance abuse prevention program, followed by residing at a halfway house, GPS monitoring and random urine analysis among other conditions.

“Apparently he has given up on the opportunity he was offered,” said MPD Capt. Brian Batterson.

He said authorities have been searching for Bryant the past week, but have exhausted those leads locally and that’s why after a week, they decided to ask for the public’s help.

“There were multiple agencies involved (in the Bryant case) and we were kind of in limbo as to who was putting information out for a press release,” Batterson conceded.

As to Bryant, he contacted the Times-Republican via social media and admitted he violated the terms of his probation.

“I’m struggling once again,” he wrote. “I screwed up at treatment and now I’m discharged staying at a damn hotel again in Marshalltown, unhappy and lost, looking for a solution and some way to fix this big ass mess. I got no one to turn to, no one that can help me and I’ve come too far to change my life around and do good … I want to continue getting help and making progress. I am pretty sad and lost right now … and I apologize.”

Batterson said the MPD has checked at local hotels and motels to see if Bryant might be holed up in a room.

“We know he has a support system here in Marshall County. Chances are he’s back in the area,” Batterson said.

Those with any information concerning Bryant’s whereabouts should contact the Marshall County Communications Center or 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.

Courtesy of the Marshalltown Times Republican, November 30, 2016.

The Marshalltown Police Department frequently receives complaints or concerns regarding Internet fraud schemes.  In 2015, a horrific crime occurred in Longmont, Colorado involving a woman who responded to an online advertisement and was attacked by another woman with a knife.  Unfortunately, criminal offenders all over the world view the Internet as a hunting ground for victims.  Violent offenders can also utilize the Internet to target unsuspecting victims.

In an effort to protect community members from these types of crimes, the Marshalltown Police Department (located at 22 North Center Street) has designated the public lobby, and the parking in front of the building, as safe zones for the completion of online sales transactions.  Police department staff will not be assigned to monitor transactions nor will they require the participants in any transaction to notify the police department in advance.  Police department personnel will not mediate civil disputes or assist with the collection of debts associated with these transactions.  The Marshalltown Police Department is simply providing a safe space for the transactions to occur but will otherwise not be involved.  The public lobby at the police department may not be used for any transactions involving firearms or any prohibited contraband, goods or services.  People wishing to use the police department lobby for after-hours transactions may use the red telephone located in the police lobby to contact the E911 Communication Center should they need help or assistance while visiting the police department.

The following online transaction safety tips were published via CNN.com in 2015.  These tips are excellent reminders for anyone participating in online transactions or responding to online advertisements.

1.    Always meet in a public place.
2.    Tell someone about the transaction and meeting details.
3.    Never meet at your home or a private residence.
4.    Always meet during the day.
5.    If it is a high priced transaction, conduct this business at a bank so a banking professional can confirm funds have
       been delivered successfully.
6.    Don’t pay in cash.
7.    Disable caller ID when calling the buyer or seller on the telephone.
8.    Don’t use a personal email address.
9.    Keep you cellular telephone close during the transaction meeting.
10. Don’t reveal personal information.

 The Marshalltown Police Department reminds community members to always use great caution when using the Internet or electronic means to conduct business of any kind.  Be cautious when meeting with people you do not know.  Never provide personal information about yourself under any circumstances.  If you believe you have been the victim of an online fraud or criminal scheme, report these crimes immediately to law enforcement.

For more information, please contact Police Chief Michael Tupper by calling 641.754.5771 or via email at [email protected].

On Monday November 21st 2016 the Marshalltown Police Department took a report of a burglary to the Mid-Iowa Co-Op on S 18th Ave. Damage was done to the building and several items were stolen including a semi-tractor & trailer loaded with corn. The semi is a green 2000 Peterbilt and the trailer is a black 2005 Timpte Trailer. Anyone with information regarding this is asked to contact the Marshalltown Police Department by calling 641-754-5725. Also, a tip may be made through Crime Stoppers tip line at 641-753-1234 or online at www.marshallcountycs.com.

Authorities are still searching for the man who held up a local eatery Friday night.

According to a Marshalltown Police Department report issued early Saturday morning, at about 9:05 p.m. Friday, an armed robbery occurred at the North 3rd Avenue Dairy Queen.

Shortly after business hours, a white male suspect approached the front customer window and contacted an employee who was still inside the business. At some point, the suspect pointed a firearm at the employee and demanded money, fleeing the scene shortly after. The employee was not injured during the incident.

The MPD would not provide any more details about the suspect, for fear it might jeopardize the investigation, which was still ongoing.

Those with any information regarding the robbery are urged to call the MPD at (641) 754-5725. They can also provide a tip anonymously through the Marshall County Crime Stoppers program by calling (641) 753-1234, or texting the word “marshall” to CRIMES (274637), or online at www.marshallcountycs.com

Courtesy of the Marshalltown Times-Republican, November 20, 2016.

                  Spates                                          Peters                                              Holloway                                   Elliott

Four Marshalltown men have been arrested and charged on multiple drug charges following a raid of a Marshalltown residence earlier this month.

On Monday afternoon, the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force announced it had arrested the four men after the task force served a narcotics search warrant at 305 Edgewood St., more than a week ago on Nov. 4.

Charged in the case were:

• Tyson Bryant Peters, 29, possession of Schedule I controlled substance with intent to deliver (marijuana), a Class D felony; and failure to affix a drug tax stamp, also a Class D felony;

• Austin Charles Elliott, 29, possession of Schedule I controlled substance (marijuana), a serious misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, also a simple misdemeanor;

• Brad Anthony Holloway Jr., 25, possession of Schedule I controlled substance (marijuana), a serious misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, also a simple misdemeanor; and

• Malik Ali Spates, 20, possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance (marijuana), a serious misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, also a simple misdemeanor.

All were transported to the Marshall County Jail where Spates, Holloway and Elliott posted a $1,000 bond each, and Peters posted a $5,000 bond. The four have all made initial appearances in district court, but no new dates have been set as to their return to court.

Det./Sgt. Jim Gibson with the task force and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office told the Times-Republican that officers seized marijuana, butane hash oil, prescription pills, one firearm with ammunition, and suspected psilocybin mushrooms as a result of the search warrant at the Edgewood residence.

He said the arrests were the culmination of a two-month investigation that began with information and tips received from Marshalltown residents.

“It was through information from the community that helped us with this case,” Gibson said.

He said additional arrests are pending as the investigation continues, although he added he does not feel there is any danger to the general public.

“We encourage people to contact us or (Marshall County) Crimestoppers if they have any information,” Gibson said.

Those with information may contact the task force number at 641-754-6392. Tips may also be submitted to Crimestoppers by calling 641-753-1234, via text by texting the word “marshall” followed by the tip to CRIMES (274637), or online at marshallcountycs.com. All tips are completely anonymous.

Contact Jeff Hutton at 641-753-6611 or [email protected]

Courtesy of the Marshalltown Times-Re

A presentation by Marshall County Crime Stoppers on the merits of installing security cameras throughout Marshalltown, a status report on the joint police/fire facility, and the introduction of new city administrator Jessica Kinser were key actions at  Monday’s city council meeting.

Security cameras

Times-Republican Publisher and General Manager Mike Schlesinger, representing the highly-successful Marshall County Crimestoppers program, and RACOM Co. President Mike Miller presented a security camera plan to the council. The cost is approximately 58,000. Schlesinger emphasized it was a plan to install security — and not traffic cameras — at key points throughout the city. Schlesinger, Miller, and Ken Flege of RACOM highlighted the tremendous success Dubuque has had with their system.

Law enforcement, businesses, and residents have embraced the system as it has deterred crime.

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

Schlesinger proposed a public-private partnership to pay for the system. The city would pay one-third, Marshall County one-third, and private businesses one-third.

A presentation will be made to Marshall County, Schlesinger said.

No formal action was taken by the council.












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