Compiled by Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — Nov. 2-5

Nov. 2-5, time unknown
Burglary in the 3800 block of Martin Luther King Parkway. The victim stated that she was out of town for several days. When she returned home she found her apartment door kicked in. Nothing was reported missing, but the victim suspects a granddaughter may be involved.

Nov. 4, 11:40 p.m.
Robbery attempt in the 2800 block of Easton Boulevard. Officers were dispatched to the Kum & Go, located at 2829 Easton Blvd., on an attempted robbery call. Upon arrival, officers met with the clerk who claims a black male, 25-30 years old, wearing a grey sweatshirt, came into the store and asked for a store manager. The clerk asked him why and the suspect said, “I want you to open the register,” then motioned to his sweatshirt like he had a gun. The clerk ran into the manager’s office, locked the door and called 911. The suspect was then heard exiting the front door. The clerk described him as having a “sunken face, like he was a drug user who hadn’t eaten for a while.”

Nov. 5, 11 a.m.
Assault causing injury in the 7000 block of Southwest 10th Street. The victim and suspect were playing basketball when the victim said he stole the ball form the suspect. The suspect pushed the victim, the victim pushed back and then the suspect punched the victim three times. The victim received stitches under his eye at the hospital.

Nov. 5, 3-7 p.m.
Burglary in the 3200 block of Southeast 5th Street. The victim came home to find his front and back doors open. Suspects rummaged through the residence and took a stereo receiver, a camera and a book of checks valued at more than $550. Also taken were spare keys to his 2002 Chevy Silverado and a 1990 Chevy Camaro.

Busted

Name: William Harry Bragg

The story: Des Moines Police officers were dispatched to 1519 Grand Ave. on an assault with a weapon call. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim who stated that he walked into the apartment complex and saw Bragg standing in the entryway with a knife. Bragg swung the knife at the victim striking him under his arm. The victim was wearing a heavy leather coat and the knife didn’t penetrate. The victim stated that Bragg continued to swing the knife before he backed away and ran to his apartment to call police. While searching the area, officers found Bragg in a bent over position by the south doors. He was handcuffed and officers found a black and silver paring knife in the area where he was bent over. Bragg was 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 the State of Iowa vs. Lundell Earlest Buchanan

“The State originally charged Lundell Earlest Buchanan with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and possession of marijuana. The State subsequently filed amended trial information reducing the first charge to possession of cocaine. A jury found Buchanan guilty on the amended cocaine charge. The court then considered the penalty enhancement question in connection with the cocaine count and concluded that Buchanan admitted to two prior convictions. The district court found Buchanan had previously been convicted of Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance-Marijuana in Linn County in November of 1995.

“Buchanan raises two issues on appeal. He first asserts that he did not stipulate to the allegations of prior offense as they relate to [the cocaine count] and [he] did not waive his right to a jury trial regarding the penalty enhancement on that count. He argues trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the procedure used by the district court in the penalty enhancement phase of the cocaine trial. Buchanan also contends the district court should not have denied a motion for mistrial he made following the testimony of two law enforcement officers. One officer made reference to the fact that Buchanan was originally arrested on a charge of possession with intent to deliver cocaine. The other referred to an electronic scale in Buchanan’s possession. He testified the scale was evidence of drug dealing.

“After this testimony came into the record, the district court expressed a willingness to admonish the jury to disregard [the officer’s] mention of the fact that the Defendant was originally charged with Possession with Intent to deliver because now he’s charged with Possession of Cocaine and not Possession with Intent to deliver. The court also expressed a willingness to admonish the jury not to consider the testimony of the officer in regard to the scales.

“At this juncture, the court summarily denied the mistrial motion. The State urges us to find that, by declining the instruction, Buchanan waived error. We need not address this point, as Buchanan also argues that we should examine this issue under an ineffective assistance-of-counsel rubric. Having preserved Buchanan’s first claim for post conviction relief proceedings, we preserve this claim as well.”

Missing

Name: Jessica L. Reeves
Age At Report: 17
Age Now: 18
Weight: 230 lbs.
Height: 5’4”
Race: White
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Sex: Female
Incident Type: Juvenile

Jessica Reeves was reported missing to the Newton Police Department on April 5. She was last seen wearing a Texas Ranger Museum sweatshirt, white T-shirt, black pants with white stripes and white tennis shoes. Jessica requires medications that she does not have with her. If you have information regarding the disappearance of this individual, please contact the Missing Person Information Clearinghouse Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation 1-800-346-5507.

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

440 : The number of registered sex offenders in Polk County.

Comment on this story | Return to top