Monday, May 1, 2017
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – An inmate who was being taken from the Pottawattamie County Jail escaped this morning, killing one deputy and injuring two other people. Dep. Mark Burbridge, a 12-year veteran of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, according to KETV. The suspect, believed to be Wesley Correa-Carmenaty, carjacked someone and drove to Omaha, before carjacking another person. Correa-Carmenaty then led police on a high-speed chase before crashing. He has been taken into custody. MARENGO, IA (IRN) – Jurors are scheduled to be chosen today for the trial of a federal inmate from Iowa charged with killing his fiancee, who vanished without a trace in 2000. KCCI-TV reports Tait Purk has pled not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder. He’s accused of killing Cora Okonski. Purk told police that she left their home to walk to the store to buy cigarettes and never returned. Her body has never been found. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Police are investigating after a woman was injured during an early Monday morning incident. WHO-TV reports people in an apartment complex were up late drinking when they got into a dispute with neighbors over a cell phone. During the altercation a woman used a knife to cut another person on the head. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A University of Iowa student is accused of threatening to bring a gun to a graduation ceremony. KCRG-TV reports 25-year-old Soliman Altamimi is charged with threat of terrorism and third-degree harassment. Altamimi went to school officials on Friday and asked to give a speech at the graduation ceremony. When staff members said “no,” he then allegedly threatened to bring a gun to graduation, and repeated the threat to officers. Police say he made a similar threat in November. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City Police responded to a call early Sunday morning near the University of Iowa reporting that a strong-armed robbery had occurred. KGAN-TV reports the victims said they were walking when a vehicle pulled over and a group of men got out, assaulted them, and then stole their wallets. The suspects returned to their vehicle and left the scene. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Scaffolding will soon envelop the Iowa Capitol dome as workers continue a $10 million renovation project. KCCI-TV reports the work is needed to fix internal cracks and exterior weathering. Officials hope the external work will be completed by Thanksgiving, but the internal fixes are expected to take at least a year. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A West Des Moines pet shelter is making a push to get more animals adopted into loving homes. WHO-TV reports now through May 5th at Furry Friends Refuge, all cats over the age of five months can be adopted for just $5. This is part of the organization’s “Cinco de Meow” special.