Compiled by Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — Oct. 20-23

Oct. 20-21, time unknown
Burglary in the 4000 block of East 14th Street. A pontoon boat was parked in a fenced lot behind the building. It appears the suspect(s) gained entry by cutting the fence away from the poles and crawling underneath. More than $4,200 worth of equipment was stolen from the boat including an outdoor motor, a control box, a motor, a battery, four fishing poles and a tackle box. The police have no suspects.

Oct. 23, 3 a.m.
Attempted burglary in the 3500 block of East 26th Street. Officers were tripped to an alarm at Marcia’s Jewelry. Upon arrival, two witnesses observed a Dodge Intrepid leaving at a high rate of speed heading southbound on East 26th street. Officers found the exterior alarm box had been tampered with, but no entry was made.

Oct. 22, 7:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Burglary in the 4500 block of 50th Street. The owners stated that sometime while they were gone, someone broke into their house and stole their 46-inch TV and more than 40 DVDs. Entry was made through the lower level bedroom window, where the glass had been broken out. However, the garage door was open and the front door was unlocked, which the owners said were closed when they left. The owners also reported that during the past week other items are missing, but no forced entry was noticed. The owners suspect a neighbor.

Oct. 22, 3:30 – 6:30 a.m.
Arson in the 700 block of Boston Avenue. The victim stated his vehicle was parked in the driveway, when the plastic that covers the driver’s window was set on fire. The west side of the garage was also set on fire. The victim believes the suspect is a former girlfriend.

BUSTED

Name: Heather Marie Clampitt
The story: The victim stated that Clampitt began banging on the door and after opening it, began screaming about the victim sleeping with her boyfriend. The victim denied it and Clampitt began punching the victim in the face causing redness and swelling. Clampitt then pushed the victim to the ground. A neighbor heard the yelling and screaming and came to investigate. The witness saw the victim on the ground with Clampitt over her screaming. Both women were allegedly intoxicated and Clampitt was charged with simple assault.

DOCKET DIVING

The following is from a recent ruling made by the Iowa Court of Appeals regarding the case of the State of Iowa vs. Paul Anthony Bell.

“Paul Anthony Bell appeals the imposition of a consecutive sentence upon his guilty plea to first-degree theft as a habitual offender. He contends that, because the trial court altered its written judgment entry after the sentencing hearing to order his sentence to run consecutively with prior sentences, his sentence should run concurrently with his prior sentences. The record demonstrates that a clerical error occurred. We remand for entry of an order nunc pro tunc to impose a consecutive sentence.

“On Aug. 29, 2006, Bell was charged by trial information with first-degree theft, three counts of forgery, third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony and interference with official acts. On Oct. 13, 2006, Bell reached a plea agreement with the Scott County Attorney’s office. The memorandum of plea agreement, signed by Bell and his attorney, stated that, if Bell pled guilty to first-degree theft as a habitual offender, the other charges would be dismissed. It further stated, the sentence is to run consecutively to the sentences already imposed in two other cases, where Bell had been sentenced to a total indeterminate term of 15 years. The trial court asked Bell if he understood he would be sentenced as a habitual offender and that the sentence would run consecutive to any other sentence you have previously been sentenced to or are serving. Bell responded that he understood. The trial court then sentenced Bell to a term not to exceed 15 years. At that time, although the court did state that it was sentencing Bell as requested by the parties in that written plea agreement, it did not make any statement as to whether the sentence was to run consecutively or concurrently to Bell’s prior sentences.

“The record unambiguously demonstrates that the court sentenced Bell in accordance with his plea agreement. The failure to include the term consecutive in this case was clearly a clerical error which is appropriately corrected by an order nunc pro tunc. Because a calendar entry is not the appropriate means to correct this clerical error, we remand for entry of an order nunc pro tunc to impose a consecutive sentence.”

Missing

Name: Cheri Schmit
Age At Report: 14
Age Now: 14
Weight: 110 lbs.
Height: 5’5”
Race: Black
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Sex: Female
Incident Type: Juvenile

Cheri Schmit was reported missing to the Davenport Police Department on April 23. Cheri is bi-racial, black and white. She has shoulder length hair, a brown mole on her face and her ears are pierced. If you have any information on Cheri’s location, contact the Davenport, Iowa Police Department at (563) 326-6121.

From the Missing Person Information Clearinghouse Web site: www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/mpic.

57 : The number of sheets of toilet paper an average person uses per day.

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