Compiled by Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — June 2

June 2, 7:50 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Burglary in the 300 block of Thornton Avenue. The victim reported that while he was gone, someone broke into his house. The suspect(s) forced open the basement door to gain entry and took a camcorder and a jar of change, valued at more than $300. The suspect(s) also disturbed a bunch of paper work in the victim’s office. There are no witnesses or suspect(s) at this time.

June 2, 2:20 p.m.

Simple assault in the 6400 block of Army Post Road. The victim stated he was riding his motorcycle and pulled up to the intersection at Army Post Road and Fleur Drive. While at the intersection, a vehicle pulled up behind him and for no reason, threw something at him, hitting him in the back. The victim stated there were two female juveniles in the front and two male juveniles in the back seat. The victim was unsure which one of the suspect(s) threw the item.

June 2, 4 p.m.

Robbery in the 1800 block of 21st Street. The victim reported he was riding his bike when two black males jumped him near Drake Park. The suspects hit him on the head and the leg with a bat or a pipe. The suspects took the victim’s bike, valued at $100. The victim didn’t recognize the suspects and stated they said, “don’t mess with the merk squad” as they left. The victim refused medical attention.

BUSTED

Name: Sanisa Dena Rodriguez

The story: Officers were dispatched to Manning’s, 2102 Indianola Ave., after the owner reported an unruly customer, later identified as Rodriguez. The owner told police that Rodriguez had been in the bar earlier, was fighting with other females, and he had advised her to leave. She returned shortly afterwards yelling and screaming. She left again and the owner locked the door. Rodriguez began beating on the windows and pulling on the door trying to get in, screaming “I’m going to kill you motherfuckers.” Officers stated Rodriguez allegedly had bloodshot/watery eyes, slurred speech and smelled strongly of alcohol. Rodriguez was taken into custody and as officers were putting her in to the wagon, she screamed, “let go of me you fucking bitch,” and kicked one of the officers in the leg. Rodriguez was arrested and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer.

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. Lanette Kay Starr.

“In the early morning hours of Feb. 15, 2006, during a criminal mischief investigation, Officer Scott Carlson of the Ottumwa Police Department went to Starr’s home. When Starr opened the door, Officer Carlson noticed the strong odor of marijuana. He then began questioning Starr of her whereabouts when the criminal mischief occurred and requested that Starr produce identification. Starr closed the door, presumably to retrieve her identification. Officer Carlson opened the door and entered Starr’s home, to which Starr protested, stating the officer had no right to enter her home. Once inside, the officer continued questioning Starr about the criminal mischief complaint and saw the remnants of a burnt marijuana cigarette in an ashtray. When asked about the marijuana cigarette, Starr admitted that it was hers and that she had smoked it.

“Starr filed a pretrial motion to suppress any evidence obtained as a result of the officers’ warrantless entry into her home. The district court denied Starr’s motion, finding that the warrantless entry into her home was supported by probable cause and exigent circumstances. After the district court’s ruling, Starr waived her right to a jury and stipulated to a trial on the minutes of evidence. She was found guilty of possession of marijuana. The district court sentenced Starr to 45 days in jail, suspended that sentence and placed Starr on unsupervised probation for two years.

“Starr alleges her constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures was violated when the officers entered her home without a warrant. The district court concluded the warrantless entry was justified based upon ‘the probable cause to believe the defendant was in possession of marijuana, and due to the exigent circumstances that the marijuana would be susceptible to destruction while a warrant was obtained.’ We agree.

“The state asserts that because Starr was aware of police presence, she may have attempted to destroy evidence of marijuana. We agree with the district court that behind the closed door, the evidence of marijuana was susceptible to destruction, giving rise to an exigency. We affirm the district court’s ruling on the motion to suppress and Starr’s conviction.”

MISSING

Name: Chase D. Gomez
Age at report: 5
Age now: 6
Weight: 40 lbs.
Height: 3’0”
Race: White
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Sex: Male
Incident Type: Familial abduction
Chase Gomez was reported missing to the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 20, 2007. He is possibly in Cartega, Costa Rica, with his non-custodial father. Gomez is biracial, (Hispanic and white). He has a scar on his right shoulder. If you have any information about Gomez, contact the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office (563) 568-4521. From the Missing Person Information Clearinghouse Web site: http://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/mpic.

2,420 : The number of burglaries committed in Des Moines in 2007.

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