Compiled by Andrew Brink andrew@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — May 28

6:15 p.m.

Robbery in the 2400 block of South West 9th Street. The victim reported that she works at the Git-N-Go store in Norwalk. When she closed the store and went to the bank to make a deposit, she realized she didn’t have the bank deposit key. She drove home, took a shower and returned to her vehicle. As she attempted to enter her vehicle, two men approached her. One of the men put a gun to her head and took the deposit bag filled with money [the amount was unknown]. The suspects then ran into the nearby woods. The victim claims the robbery occurred at 5:30 p.m. The victim didn’t report the robbery until 6:14 p.m. She claims she got in her car and drove around looking for the suspects before she called the police.

9:45 p.m.

Robbery in the 1100 block of West River Drive. A man told Des Moines Police that he was robbed near the Des Moines River. The victim reported that a black male, described as being in his 30s and wearing a blue shirt and jeans, put a knife to his abdomen and demanded money. The victim pushed the suspect away but cut his right ring finger on the knife. The victim was then forced into his own car, at which point he gave the suspect his money. The victim was able to get out of his car and yell for help. The suspect ran away with the victim’s money and cell phone.

11:56 p.m.

Robbery at Git-N-Go, 2601 S.W. 9th St. A Git-N-Go employee was mopping the floor when a young black male, described as wearing a red Yankees baseball cap, black aviator sunglasses and a red vest entered the store and said, “Look here you motherfucker, I want your money.” The man pointed a revolver at the employee, who opened the register and gave the cash drawer to the suspect. The employee told the suspect that he did not have the code to open the safe, at which point the suspect left the store. The employee reported that there was no more than $100 in the drawer. Des Moines Police followed a trail of change leading south of the store. A K-9 unit was called to the scene and tracked a scent to an apartment in the 800 block of Loomis Avenue. Officers spoke with the occupants, but none of them matched the description of the suspect.

BUSTED

Name: Joleen Kay Johnson

The story: A customer shopping at Fareway, 3000 S.E. 22nd St., told a store manager that they observed “an unknown black male” reach behind a counter and take a pack of cigarettes. The store manager then witnessed the male pass the cigarettes to Joleen Kay Johnson, who “made no attempt to pay and walked past the checkout.” As the manager approached Johnson outside the store, she ran off. The manager pursued Johnson until she dropped the pack of cigarettes. Johnson complied with the manager’s request to return to the store, where she remained until the Des Moines Police escorted her to Polk County Jail. She was charged with third-degree theft.

4 : the number of buses stolen in Iowa in 2005.

DOCKET DIVING

The following is from a recent ruling made by the Iowa Court of Appeals regarding the case of Jermaine Davonn Howard (defendant) vs. the State of Iowa (plaintiff):

“Following a jury trial, Jermaine Howard was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver cocaine base (more than ten grams), possession of marijuana and a drug tax stamp violation. … On appeal, he only asserts the insufficiency of the evidence supporting the convictions. We review this claim for correction of errors at law.

Howard maintains the facts of this case are similar to those in State v. Nickens, 644 N.W.2d 38, 40 (Iowa Ct. App. 2002), in which we reversed the defendant’s convictions for conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine and a tax stamp violation. There, upon executing a search warrant at a residence, Nickens was discovered sleeping in a bedroom; however, significantly, none of the relevant incriminating evidence was located in that room and some of it was hidden within and under furniture. We held this evidence insufficient to establish his possession of those items or that he had entered into a conspiracy to possess and deliver the drugs.

[Howard’s] case is distinguishable from Nickens. Here, when police officers entered a residence from which a smell of marijuana was emanating, Howard was observed exiting a bathroom. Incriminating evidence was discovered both in plain sight and secreted throughout the residence, including in the bathroom. In addition, Howard’s fingerprints were found to be on two baggies that, according to officers, were being used in the packaging of drugs. We find the evidence sufficient to support each of the convictions and therefore affirm.”

Howard is currently serving a 25-year sentence at the Anamosa State Penitentiary.

Most wanted

Name: Paul Toledo
Age: 48
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 205 lbs.
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Date of birth: July 7, 1958
Wanted for: Robbery

As of June 1, Toledo is wanted by local law enforcement agencies. He should be considered dangerous and should not be approached. If you know where to find this fugitive, call Crime Stoppers at 223-1400.

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