Compiled by Andrew Brink andrew@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — June 24

10:23 a.m.
Death investigation in the 600 block of 25th Street. According to the police report, a woman and her family arrived at their home at approximately 11 p.m. on June 23. An adult male passenger “did not want to come in,” so he was left in the vehicle. The male allegedly had “too much to drink” and could not be carried inside. The woman checked in on him at 7 a.m. on June 24 and thought she heard him snoring. She checked again a few minutes later and discovered that the man was dead. Police believe that cause of death was asphyxiation — it appeared the victim choked on his own vomit.

10:45 a.m.
Burglary in the 4000 block of Kingman Boulevard. The victim reported that he went to sleep at approximately 10:15 p.m. on June 23 and woke up at 10:30 a.m. on June 24. When he awoke, he found that his vehicle appeared to have been in a car accident. It was parked in his driveway with keys in the ignition and had damage to its right side, as if it had “sideswiped something.” The victim stated that he left the keys and his wallet in the drawer of a china cabinet in his dining room. He also stated that he found two BB handguns missing from a box in his basement. There were no signs of a forced entry, but he stated he had left his front door unlocked so that his two sons could come in. Judging by the items missing and the fact that these items had been hidden, police believe that the suspect(s) knew the layout of the victim’s residence. Police questioned the victim’s two sons, who denied involvement in the burglary.

3:30 p.m.
Burglary in the 100 block of Second Avenue. The victim returned home to find that her living room window was open. The victim reported that pictures on the windowsill and around her entertainment center had been moved around. She stated that nothing appeared to be missing. Dirt was found near the windowsill.

Busted

Name: Joseph Nephi Tills
The story: Des Moines Police encountered Tills on June 25 when responding to a report that a man was urinating in the bushes near the Dairy Queen located at 1321 E. University Ave. According to the police report, Tills approached a man waiting in line at Dairy Queen and threatened to kill him because he was wearing a Denver Bronco’s T-shirt. The victim told Tills to leave. Tills then told the victim that he was going to rob the Walgreens located across the street. The victim observed Tills walk across the street and urinate in “some bushes.” Police arrested Tills in the Walgreens parking lot and transported him to Polk County Jail, where he was charged with first-degree harassment and public intoxication.

Docket Diving

The following is from a recent ruling made by the Iowa Court of Appeals regarding the case of Emma Mosher vs. Division of Health Facilities, Department of Inspections and Appeals:

“The director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) found Emma Mosher committed dependent adult abuse while working as a residential treatment worker at the Woodward Resource Center in Woodward, Iowa, and the district court affirmed the director’s decision. Mosher appeals contending (1) the director failed to comply with an earlier remand order from the district court, and (2) the determination Mosher committed dependent adult abuse is not supported by substantial evidence. …

… On Nov. 29, 2003, Mosher and Melissa Cox were both working at the Woodward facility. On Nov. 30, 2003, Cox reported that Mosher struck a male resident, shoving him with both of her arms, which caused him to fall to the floor and slide across a hallway nearly hitting his head. Mosher contended she did no more than put her left arm out and the resident ran into it and fell to the floor.

On the basis of Cox’s report, an investigation was launched, and the DIA found Mosher committed dependent adult abuse. The finding was appealed, a hearing was held before an administrative law judge, and a proposed decision reversing the finding of dependent adult abuse was filed. Appeal was taken from the proposed decision to the director of the DIA. The director reversed the administrative law judge and affirmed the initial finding of dependent abuse. The case was then appealed to the district court. …

… There was evidence that Mosher was seen pushing the resident. … This evidence, if believed, is substantial evidence to support a finding that Mosher committed dependent adult abuse. The administrative law judge discounted this evidence because he did not believe that the witness could see Mosher’s hands hit the resident. The director gave the witness’s testimony more weight, finding that the witness had been consistent in her report of the events and that corroborating evidence supported a finding that Mosher had physical contact with the resident. In reviewing we are required to give deference to the credibility determinations of the presiding officer. Finding substantial evidence to support the determination of the director, we affirm.”

Most wanted

Name: James Vasey
Age: 19
Height: 5’8
Weight: 155 lbs.
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Wanted for: Drug charges

As of June 29, Vasey is wanted by Des Moines Police for drug 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.

Update: As reported in the June 14 issue of Cityview, Littoree Dock, 23, and Demarco Henderson, 25, were wanted for first-degree robbery and assaulting a Des Moines Police officer. On June 27 they were located and arrested in Mansfield, Texas as a result of a Crime Stoppers tip.

5 : the number of canine teams employed the
Des Moines Police Department. Canines are used to track missing persons, search buildings, detect drugs and apprehend criminals.

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