Latest news with #DesMoinesPolice
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested for planting bombs at municipal golf course in Iowa
An Iowa man was arrested and charged in relation to improvised bombs found at Waveland Golf Course. The discovery of one bomb on Thursday, July 10, temporarily closed the golf course as a bomb squad responded. Michael James Valento, 41 of Des Moines, is facing five charges — including four felonies — after two pipe bomb-style improvised explosive devices were discovered at the course, according to a news release from the Des Moines Police Department. An investigation alleges Valento detonated one of the pipe bombs at the golf course on University Avenue on July 3. A second pipe bomb-style improvised explosive device was discovered by golfers on July 10. That one had not been detonated, the release said. The Des Moines Police Department Bomb Squad determined it to be a live device and rendered it safe. Just after midnight on Friday, July 11, police served a search warrant at Valento's home, about a mile away from the course. Valento was not home during the search, Parizek said, but police spotted him nearby and arrested him. More: This Iowa golf course has housed an observatory for 100 years — but problems are surfacing Valento is facing the following charges: Two counts of possession of an explosive or incendiary device with intent, a Class C felony Arson — 1st Degree, a Class B felony Arson 3rd — Degree, an aggravated misdemeanor Dominion or control of a firearm / offensive weapon by a domestic abuse offender, a Class D felony The bomb found on July 10 was in an area that golfers would not normally walk or drive past. It took police about an hour to render the device safe. Valento is being held in Polk County Jail, according to the news release. (This story was updated with new information.) Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@ or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17. This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Man arrested for planting bombs at municipal golf course in Iowa
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Des Moines man taken into custody after allegedly dousing woman, home with gasoline
A 60-year-old Des Moines man was arrested and charged after he allegedly doused a woman and a home with gasoline, according to a news release from the Des Moines Police Department. Brian Jeffries was taken into custody shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 8. Reports first came around 7:30 a.m. from a business in the 2900 block of East University Avenue in Des Moines. Officers spoke with an adult woman on a bicycle who reported Jeffries allegedly splashed her with gasoline after they "exchanged words," the release said. She was uninjured and the two did not know each other, police said. By the time officers arrived on the scene, Jeffries had fled. Around 9 a.m., officers responded to another call, this time from a home in the 3200 block of East University Avenue. Residents reported that Jeffries had allegedly approached their home and poured gasoline on the home itself and around the perimeter while reportedly proclaiming that he was going to set fire to the residence. Jeffries fled the scene before officers arrived but was located a short time later a few blocks away. He was taken into custody without incident. Jeffries has been charged with first-degree arson, a class B felony, and assault. He is currently being held at the Polk County Jail. Officers were assisted by the Des Moines Fire Department and their accelerant detection K-9, Yahtzee. Police continue to investigate the incident. Norah Judson is a reporter for the Register. Reach her at njudson@ This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines man accused of dousing woman, home with gasoline
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
One person dead following a Saturday night shooting in a Des Moines neighborhood
One person has died following a shooting in the River Bend Neighborhood, according to a news release from the Des Moines Police Department. Just after 8:15 p.m. Saturday night, a hit-and-run crash occurred at 2nd Avenue and Hull Avenue, and the driver at-fault fled the scene on foot. Two members from the other vehicle searched for the fleeing driver, the police said. The searchers found the fleeing driver accompanied by a 30-year-old male who had a baseball bat around 9 p.m. near Ohio Street and University Avenue. One of the searchers, a 21-year-old male, allegedly shot the 30-year-old out of fear once he raised the bat. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries, police said. The shooter and witnesses were interviewed by Des Moines Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives. No charges had been filed by Sunday morning. Chris Meglio is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at cmeglio@ or on X @chris_meglio. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: One person died following a crash, shooting in Des Moines neighborhood
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Des Moines police officer suffers minor injuries after driver allegedly strikes patrol car
A Des Moines police officer suffered minor injuries after a driver crashed nearly head-on into the officer's patrol car early on July 4, according to a news release from the Des Moines Police Department. Police officers charged the driver with driving while intoxicated after the man allegedly crashed a red 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air into the patrol car in the 6200 block of Southeast Fifth Street just after 1 a.m. The man drove away from the crash, police alleged, but other officers found him minutes later near Southeast Fourth Street and Payton Avenue. Both the officer and the man suffered minor injuries, police said. The shift report did not specify what injuries the officer received, but he was treated at the scene, Des Moines police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said. Police charged the man with: OWI, a serious misdemeanor Improper lane use, a misdemeanor Leaving the scene of a crash, a misdemeanor Police officials are asking drivers to take precautions over the holiday weekend. Forty percent of the more than 2,500 drivers killed during the Fourth of July holiday between 2019 and 2023 were impaired, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Decide to Ride program, a partnership between Doll Distributing and the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, is offering a $10 Uber voucher to encourage drivers to plan ahead over the holiday, police officials said. Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government and Polk County reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@ Follow her on X at @vbarreda2. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines police officer suffers minor injuries after patrol car struck
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
One dead after shooting on Des Moines' east side
A man was shot and killed on the east side of Des Moines in the early morning of July 2. Just after 12:15 a.m., the Des Moines Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at 3600 Kennedy Drive. The caller heard multiple gunshots and saw a person on the ground outside of an apartment building, according to a news release from Sgt. Paul Parizek. Officers found an adult male who had been shot and provided first aid at the scene. He was taken to UnityPoint Methodist Medical Center where he died just after 4 a.m. The shooting is Des Moines' second criminal homicide of 2025, according to the news release. Another shooting in February ended in the death of 25-year-old Armando Cruz Lorenzo. Police believe this to be a directed incident with no ongoing danger to the neighborhood. No arrests were made at the time of the news release, Parizek said, but the department's investigation is ongoing. Updates will be made available as additional information is found throughout the investigation. Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@ or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines shooting: Man killed on city's east side
