Compiled by Andrew Brink andrew@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — June 18-19

June 18, 1:25 p.m.
Assault at Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits, 6320 S.E. 14th St. A Popeye’s employee was clearing a counter when she found a beverage belonging to her manager. She asked her manager to move the beverage so that she could finish her task. Her manager refused, saying, “If you throw my pop away, you’re done for the day.” The employee discarded the beverage and the manager then grabbed the employee by the throat with both hands and began to “squeeze.” The employee broke free without further incident.

June 18, 11 p.m.
Assault with a motor vehicle at the corner of East 29th Street and Douglas Avenue. The victim was riding his bike south on East 29th Street when he heard a vehicle accelerate behind him and then honk its horn. The victim felt a breeze and “made contact with the curb,” resulting in abrasions to the right side of the victim’s body. The victim could not provide a description of the suspect vehicle and there were no witnesses to the incident. According to the police report, the victim’s bicycle had no damage consistent with being struck by a vehicle, leading officers to believe the victim was forced off the road.

June 19, 3:27 a.m.
Arson in the 1000 block of West River Drive. Des Moines Police responded to a report of a car fire. According to the police report, “it appeared… that a fluid was poured on the windshield and top of the car that was burning. The windows were black on the inside of the vehicle.” The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The car was impounded at Owen Crist Auto Body Service.

BUSTED

Name: Jennifer Louise Adkins
The story: Adkins was stopped by a Des Moines Police officer as she approached the intersection of Sixth and Mulberry streets on June 17. Adkins advised the officer that she needed access to Mulberry Street, which was closed due to the Hy-Vee Triathlon. Adkins allegedly became upset when the officer confirmed the street was closed. She told the officer that another officer told her “she could drive on Mulberry Street.” The officer again told Adkins she couldn’t enter Mulberry. Adkins accelerated her car, causing the officer to jump out of harm’s way. The officer’s right hand “struck the windshield in the process.” Adkins was later stopped by the police and arrested for assault with a weapon.

DOCKET DIVING

The following is from a recent ruling made by the Iowa Court of Appeals regarding the case of Connie Sue Miller vs. Lynn M. Pavlicek:

“Around noon on Oct. 2, 2002, Connie Miller was traveling south on Edgewood Road in Cedar Rapids. A light mist or rain was falling at the time, and it was about 67 degrees. The streets were wet. Miller stopped for a red traffic light at the intersection with Glass Road. Lynn Pavlicek was driving south on Edgewood Road behind Miller. Pavlicek’s vehicle struck the rear-end of Miller’s vehicle.

Miller filed a tort action alleging Pavlicek was negligent and that she was injured in the accident. Miller testified, ‘After I got to the red light, I saw the defendant’s car in the rear view mirror, she was coming pretty fast and it was just to me seemed like she was not going to be able to stop.’

Pavlicek testified she was traveling approximately 30 to 35 miles per hour on Edgewood Road. She stated nothing obstructed her vision. She saw the traffic signal turn to red, and saw Miller’s car come to a stop ahead of her. Pavlicek claimed she was unable to stop in time because she had hydroplaned on the wet roadway. She stated she did not have problems stopping earlier. Pavlicek stated another accident occurred at the same intersection about 10 minutes later.

The case was tried to a jury. Pavlicek asked the district court to instruct the jury on the sudden emergency doctrine. The district court refused to give an instruction on this doctrine. The jury returned a verdict finding Pavlicek was not negligent.

Miller filed a motion to vacate the jury’s verdict and to grant a new trial. The district court concluded, ‘The jury’s finding that the plaintiff failed to establish that the defendant was at fault is not sustained by sufficient evidence.’ The court granted Miller’s motion for a new trial. Pavlicek appeals. … The district court found the jury’s verdict was not supported by sufficient evidence. Where a jury verdict is not supported by sufficient evidence, a new trial may be ordered. We note that we are slower to interfere with the grant of a new trial than with its denial. For these reasons we affirm the decision of the district court.”

Most wanted

Name: Eric Romun Hill, aka “Glock”
Age: 31
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Wanted for: Weapons and assault charges

As of June 22, Eric Romun Hill is wanted by Des Moines Police for weapons and assault charges. He should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. If you know where to find this fugitive, call Crime Stoppers at 223-1400.

17,941 : the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths across the United States in 2006, the highest number since 1992, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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