Compiled by Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
On the clock
Des Moines Police Sept. 8
Sept. 8, 12:40 a.m.
Burglary in the 1500 block of Army Post Road. Officers were tripped to Sudsuckers, 1511 E. Army Post Road, on a burglary call. Upon arrival, officers noticed that a window in the southeast corner was broken, and the back door was open. While clearing the building, the manager arrived. The manager told officers the ATM machine had been tampered with and two dart machines, two ticket machines and two video games were all broken into. The manager also advised officers that a bottle of Crown Royal and a couple cases of Budweiser, along with a few checks, were taken. There are no witnesses or suspects at this time.
Sept. 8, 12:50 a.m.
Second-degree theft and fifth-degree criminal mischief in the 1700 block of 2nd Street. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who claimed his girlfriends had broken some windows in his house and stole some money. According to the victim, he and his girlfriend were at his house when they got into an argument. The victim wanted to cool down, so he went next door to his neighbors for 10 minutes. When he returned, he found the two back windows to his house were broken, as well as his grandmother’s ring, an unknown amount of cash and his cell phone were missing. There are no witnesses at this time.
Sept. 8, 2 a.m.
Assault in the 5500 block of Madison Avenue. The victims stated that they went to a bar to have a few beers. While there, they encountered a former coworker. The suspect had been there for a while and asked the victim for a ride home. Once in the driveway, the suspect did not want to get out and became belligerent. The suspect spit on the driver and exited the vehicle. The suspect then went around to the passenger side and tried to hit the other victim. The victim got out of the car, and the suspect punched her in the face. The suspect’s grandmother emerged from the home, calmed the suspect down and got him in the house. The victims went to their house and called police.
Busted
Name: David Allen Thompson
The story: Officers spoke to the victim, who stated that he and his stepfather, later identified as David Thompson, got into an argument. The victim stated that Thompson slapped him in the face and then punched him in the mouth. The victim then struck back in defense. Thompson told officers that his stepson was arguing with him, and he became angry. Thompson stated that the victim slapped him to initiate the confirmation. Officers observed a cut to the victim’s lip and some markings on the suspect’s forehead. Thompson was charged with simple domestic assault and taken to the Polk County Jail.
Docket diving
The following is from a recent ruling made by the Iowa Court of Appeals regarding the case of the State of Iowa vs. Guy Lee Williams.
“Williams was charged by trial information in November of 2007. In November of 2008 he entered a guilty plea to the charge. The court ordered a presentence investigation. At sentencing, Williams requested a suspended sentence and probation conditioned on successful completion of drug treatment at the Iowa Residential Treatment Center. The court sentenced him to an indeterminate term of incarceration not to exceed 10 years and imposed a fine of $1,000 plus applicable surcharges. Williams appeals.
“We review challenges to sentences for errors at law. We will not disturb a sentence ‘unless the defendant demonstrates an abuse of trial court discretion or a defect in the sentencing procedure, such as trial court consideration of impermissible factors.’ There is a strong presumption in favor of a sentence given by a trial court that is rebutted only by an affirmative showing of an abuse of discretion. A trial court, within the limits of applicable statutes, has discretion to select a sentence that affords the defendant the maximum opportunity for rehabilitation yet protects the community from further offenses by the defendant.
“The court had before it and considered the presentence investigation, the defendant’s addendum containing personal information, the defendant’s wife’s testimony concerning his substance abuse problem and his family’s need for him to be a father, and the defendant’s statements made at the sentencing hearing. It is very clear from the transcript of the proceedings that the court considered the defendant’s age, personal background, family situation and responsibilities, loss of his mother and brother, significant criminal history, lack of favorable response to the need for substance abuse treatment, need for emotional and grief counseling, and lack of rehabilitation from prior incarcerations. It also considered the sentencing recommendations of the State and defense counsel.
“The sentence imposed, including waiver of the mandatory minimum term and the court’s statements about that waiver, demonstrate the court clearly and carefully exercised its discretion in choosing the sentence best fitted for the defendant at that time. We find the defendant’s claim the court improperly focused only on his criminal history to be unsupported by the record and without merit. Affirmed.”
Most Wanted
Name: Antwan Cortez White
Age: 33
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 180 lbs.
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Wanted for: Weapons and drug charges. If you know where to find this fugitive, you can anonymously report your tip to the Polk County Crime Stoppers by calling 223-1400, submitting the tip online at www.polkcountycrimestoppers.org or text your tip to “CRIMES” (274637) keyword “PCCS.” Cash rewards paid up to $1,000 for tips that lead to the arrest of the person.
BIG NUMBER
$10,000
The bail set for Paul McKinney, who is charged with leaving the scene of a fatality, concealment of evidence and failure to maintain control, after being involved in the hit and run death of bicylcist Mark Grgurich on Aug. 30.
