WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – West Des Moines police are asking for the public’s help to solve a rash of vandalism cases, according to KCCI-TV. Police say a pellet rifle has been used to damage at last 20 vehicles and two buildings in the past several days. A $1,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved.

AINSWORTH, IA (IRN) – A man is dead following a house fire in rural Ainsworth yesterday. KCII-radio reports Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar says 69-year-old Charles Arthur Darby died in the fire. The state fire marshal is investigating.

LAGUNA MADRE BAY, TX (IRN) – Several Iowa State University football players rescued a woman from a sinking car during spring break at South Padre Island, Texas. The Des Moines Register reports the players saw the car sinking in the bay and sprinted over. The taillights were still visible, but the front of the car was submerged, and it was taking on water. A woman was inside, screaming for help. Police say if they hadn’t jumped into the water to pull the 22-year-old woman out, she would have drowned.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man is in custody following a robbery at a Des Moines gas station. KCCI-TV reports police responded to a Git N Go on the south side last night. A man with a hoodie and a mask approached the clerk with a gun. Police said the clerk was asked to lay on the ground as the robber left. Police said they chased a black SUV matching the description involved in previous Git N Go robberies. The man crashed the SUV, and is now in jail.

FAYETTE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A man faces charges for threatening to kill Fayette police Chief Richard Pisanti, according to KCRG-TV. 32-year-old Joshua Sergeant was released from Fayette County jail Wednesday. Moments after the release, Sergeant used a phone to call Chief Pisanti, who had originally arrested him on burglary charges. Sergeant told Pisanti he was going to kill him and was on his way to do it. He’s in jail.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – Authorities say a Nebraska sheriff’s deputy was arrested after a Council Bluffs casino incident. The Omaha World-Herald reports that 44-year-old Thomas Flynn is a sheriff’s deputy in Douglas County, which includes Omaha. Flynn was unsteady on his feet and verbally combative with casino staff. He was arrested, and released on bond. Flynn was shot while on duty in 2011. His department named him Deputy of the Year and gave him two medals. He’s on desk duty.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A special new art exhibit is on display at Drake University, according to WHO-TV. The exhibit is called Finding Happiness. It’s a partnership between Mosaic of Central Iowa and Drake. People with intellectual disabilities served by Mosaic learned various art methods during a special art day at Drake. Faculty and students with the fine arts program helped. The results are now on display in the gallery.