DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Altoona police are investigating an incident involving two men trying to lure two young males into their truck on Tuesday. The Des Moines Register reports two Altoona Elementary students reported that they were approached by two white males in a pickup. The juveniles reported that the men yelled at them from their vehicle, offered candy and told them to get in. Police were called, but the men had left the scene when they arrived.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids woman is accused of stealing $40,000 worth of heirlooms to support her drug habit. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 27-year-old Jessica Brians took heirlooms and pawned them to obtain money for drugs. Authorities said the heirlooms were taken from her residence, but belong to another couple. When officers arrested Brians, she had meth, heroin and syringes in her possession.

MAQUOKETA, IA (IRN) – A Maquoketa taxidermist convicted of selling endangered black rhinoceros horns to a known trafficker was sentenced Tuesday to over two years in federal prison. KCRG-TV reports James Hess, owner of Wildlife Pride Taxidermy and Décor, pled guilty in May to violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate trade of certain wildlife, including endangered species. Hess bought rhino horns in Oregon and shipped them back to Iowa before reselling them.

DES MOINES (IRN) – A disgruntled Des Moines Price Chopper customer threatened to beat an employee with a 2-by-4 when an argument ensued over product prices, according to the Des Moines Register. Police arrived at the grocery store Tuesday to find William Graves, 45, of Des Moines holding a “wooden stick” at an employee in a “threatening manner.” Nobody was injured in the incident, and police reduced assault charges to trespassing.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – An officer-involved shooting in Cedar Rapids has left a man dead. According to KWWL-TV, officers stopped a car believing three people inside were suspects in a drug investigation. One person ran off when the vehicle stopped. Two officers and a K9 caught up with the suspect. Officers say the suspect fired a gun at them and officers returned the gunfire. The suspect, Jonathan Tyler Gossman, 21, of Cedar Rapids,  was killed. The police officers and the K9 involved were not hurt.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines police officer was taken to the hospital early this morning after a chase and a wreck. KCCI-TV reports police were pursuing a motorcycle when the driver crashed in a wooded area. The squad car also crashed. The motorcycle driver was arrested, and the police officer taken to the hospital as a precaution. Police did not say why they were pursuing the motorcycle.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City firefighters responded to a house fire Tuesday night, the result of an apparent lightning strike.  KCRG-TV reports heavy smoke and flames were visible when firefighters arrived. The home belongs to well-known artist Hans Breder, 80. Everyone made it out of the home safely, but the home reportedly contains priceless pieces of art that were likely destroyed.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A flood of fake $20 bills has hit Mason City, according to KIMT-TV. Counterfeiters have primarily targeted convenience stores by purchasing cheap items and pocketing the change. One clue the bills are counterfeit? The White House is printed upside down.