Compiled by Andrew Brink andrew@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — July 2-8

July 2, 7:40 p.m.
Robbery in the Dahl’s parking lot, 4343 Merle Hay Road. According to the police report, the victim ran into an old acquaintance in the Dahl’s parking lot. The two conversed, and the victim told the man that she had “received a large cash settlement” from Qwest Communications. As the victim sat in her car, the man noticed that she had “a large bundle of cash.” The victim told police that at this time, the man advised her that he had a gun and would “shoot her if she didn’t hand over the money.” The victim gave the suspect her money and drove away. The victim does not know where the man lives and told police she never dated him. A background check showed that the suspect had several outstanding warrants.

July 6, 11:28 p.m.
Robbery outside the Family Dollar Store, 1306 E. 14th St. The victim, a 72-year-old woman, reported that while she was outside the Family Dollar Store, she was “jumped by two black male juveniles” who tried to take her purse and scooter. The victim stated that the two juveniles hit her in the head with a “closed fist” and took off running eastbound from the store. The victim went home and called her son, who transported her to Iowa Lutheran Hospital to be treated for a swollen right eye.

July 8, 5:09 a.m.
Attempted burglary in the 800 block of Lyon Street. The victim reported locking his door and putting the chain across it only to notice later that the door had been opened and the chain “was the only thing securing” the door. The victim stated that he shut the door, looked through the peephole and noticed the shadow of a male in the hallway. The male suspect fled the scene before the police arrived.

Busted

Name: Olivia K. Rogowski
The story: According to the police report, on July 7, a Des Moines vehicle enforcement officer observed Rogowski “drive a vehicle and bump into another car in the parking lot of PD’s Pub,” located at 3803 S.W. 9th St. The officer identified himself as a Des Moines Police officer and requested that she “come over to him.” The officer then instructed Rogowski, who was allegedly “highly intoxicated,” to sit on the curb. Instead, she allegedly “struck the officer in the face with her hand.” Rogowski was then arrested for driving while intoxicated and assault.

Docket Diving

The following is from a recent ruling made by the Iowa Court of Appeals regarding the case of Phyllis Reelfs vs. the Employment Appeal Board:

“Phyllis Reelfs appeals from the district court ruling that upheld the decision of the Employment Appeal Board denying her claim for unemployment compensation benefits. We affirm the district court.

Reelfs began working at the University of Iowa in 1985. In September 2004, while working as a secretary, she started to use sick leave and vacation time to cover work missed for various mental health issues. Her last full day of work was Sept. 24, 2004. Reelfs filed a request for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Over the next four months, Reelfs supplied her employer with numerous notes excusing her from work. Each note excused her from work for a specific period of time. As a note neared expiration, she would arrange to have a new note sent to her employer. On Jan. 19, 2005, the employer requested documentation in order to finalize the approval of the designation of FMLA leave. Reelfs did not respond to this request.

The last medical note received by her employer excused her absence through Feb. 9, 2005. Reelfs did not appear for work on Feb. 10 or contact her employer. On Friday, February 11, her employer drafted a letter stating the following:
This notice is to advise you of our withdrawal of FMLA designation of your current leave due to your failure to provide the requested documentation as stated in my memo to you[.] … In order for your continued absence to remain authorized, we require a medical certificate or other appropriate verification[.]…. Please provide verification by the close of business on Friday, Feb. 18, 2005. Failure to provide verification or a release to return to work by that date may result in our regarding your continued absence as job abandonment…

This letter was sent to Reelfs via certified mail on Monday, Feb. 14. When Reelfs did not respond by the close of business on Friday, Feb. 18, the University terminated her employment. …

Reelfs filed the present claim for unemployment compensation benefits. An Iowa Workforce Development representative issued a decision denying benefits.

… Reelfs appealed, and hearings were held before an Administrative Law Judge.”

Most wanted

Name: Russell Blessman
Age: 51
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 360 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Wanted for: Two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree

As of July 11, Blessman is wanted by Des Moines Police on two counts of sexual abuse. 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.

76 : the percentage of those arrested for kidnapping in Iowa in 2005 that were white adult males.

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