FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – Two juveniles and two adults have been arrested in relation to a kidnapping case Thursday in Fort Dodge. WHO-TV reports a juvenile contacted police claiming he’d been assaulted and had damage done to his vehicle. The victim said the suspects forced him into his car at gunpoint and made him drive to a park. A 15-year-old male is charged with two counts of second degree kidnapping and possession with intent to deliver. A 17-year-old male is also charged with third degree criminal mischief and serious assault. Nineteen-year-old Dakota Marnach and 18-year-old Ricki Riley are both charged with possession with intent to deliver.
WINTERSET, IA (IRN) – A Madison County Jail inmate found unresponsive in his cell Thursday has died. The Des Moines Register reports the inmate was taken to Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset. Sheriff Jason Barnes says the inmate died there later that day. The inmate has been identified as 33-year-old Joshua Barker, of Winterset. He’d been arrested Sunday on drug and other charges. An investigation is underway, but no foul play is suspected.
DECORAH, IA (IRN) – A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a Decorah man to five years probation for selling goats he’d used as collateral for a farm loan. KCRG-TV reports 36-year-old Andrew Hansen admitted to selling goats and farm equipment that had been used as collateral on FSA loans he got to run a dairy goat farm. He says he used the money for his own purposes rather than to pay off the loans. Hansen also has to pay $35,000 in restitution.
ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol says a 15-year-old girl reported as a runaway led officers in three cities on a high-speed chase overnight. KCCI-TV reports Des Moines Police spotted a stolen Ford F-150 that was connected to the 15-year-old runaway. The driver took off at speeds up to 100 mph. The pickup ran over stop sticks but kept going to I-80, where it went through cable barriers onto the median, and rolled several times. The girl is OK, but faces charges.
DES MOINES (IRN) – A possible child enticement case occurred in Des Moines. A 16-year-old girl reported that while she was waiting for her school bus Thursday morning she noticed a dark colored SUV drive past and the driver asked her if she needed a ride. After the girl yelled “NO”, the vehicle began to turn around and drive back toward her. The girl then ran next door to her aunt’s house and called police.
RHODES, IA (IRN) – The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office says two people in Rhodes suffered gunshot wounds while cleaning a handgun Thursday night. 74-year-old Richard Jones and 69-year-old Ilene Jones both suffered injuries when the firearm accidentally discharged.
MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A happy Mason City boy has become a viral sensation on Facebook, according to KIMT-TV. Eight-year-old Joseph Donachricha wants to meet country singer Luke Bryan when he’s performing in Iowa next month. An online video shows Joseph holding pieces of paper about his life and his struggle with Cerebral Palsy, and how he’d really like Luke Bryan to visit his school. While the singer has yet to respond, Joseph is hopeful.