Compiled by Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police
Feb. 8-11

Feb. 8, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Burglary in the 1500 block of 55th Street. The victim returned home to find that suspect(s) had forced open a side door and gained entry. Multiple items including two computers, a 31-inch flat screen TV, two 19-inch TVs and a stereo receiver, value unknown, were taken. Several other electronics were left behind. The victim believes the suspect(s) is someone he might know.

Feb. 11, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Burglary in the 2700 block of Lyon Street. The victim stated that there was no sign of forced entry, but that his front door can easily be opened by a credit card. Multiple items, including a laptop computer, which has a tracking device, digital camera, potable DVD player and the victim’s purse with her driver’s license inside, were taken. The laptop belonged to William Penn University, where the victim is a student.

Feb. 11, 6:06 p.m.
Assault causing injury in the 4600 block of Hyperion Drive in Norwalk. The suspect was at an outpatient therapy session. At the end of the session, the suspect didn’t want to leave. But the counselor had to leave, so the victim, who was the suspect’s mother, agreed to stay with her in the conference room. During this time, the victim stated that the suspect began yelling at her, saying, “I will beat you like you have never been beat before,” and “leave me the fuck alone.” The suspect got in the victim’s face and began hitting her. She also hit the victim in the shoulder and the back. At that time a witness heard screaming from the conference room and pulled the suspect off the victim. The suspect has a history of violent outbursts.

Busted

Name: Dustin Bradford
The story: Officers were dispatched to 1039 9th St. on a fight call. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated that he and Bradford had gotten into an argument. Bradford punched the victim several times in the face causing a bloody nose and lip. Both men were allegedly intoxicated and not very cooperative. Bradford admitted to officers that he struck the victim several times in the face. Bradford was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with assault causing injury and
public intoxication.

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. Brian Ward.

“On April 13, 2006, Brian Ward was charged with accessory after the fact. The State alleged Ward harbored, aided or concealed a person who had committed arson with the intent to prevent her apprehension.

“On the same day Ward signed an application for the appointment of counsel. The application included the statement: I understand that I may be required to repay the State for all or part of my attorney fees and costs. After a hearing the district court accepted the plea of guilty. In the meantime, on May 16, 2006, Ward was charged with domestic abuse assault. The State alleged Ward struck his mother on the forehead with his fist. In a plea agreement the State amended the charge to simple assault. On the charge of accessory after the fact, Ward was sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed two years. This period of incarceration was suspended and Ward was placed on probation. On the assault charge Ward was sentenced to twenty-four hours in the county jail. On both charges, Ward was required to pay a total amount of $1,005.21 for his court-appointed attorney. Ward filed a pro se appeal in each case, stating he was a full-time student in tenth grade. He stated he should not be required to pay for the costs of representation because the court appointed his lawyer.

“On appeal, Ward asserts he was a minor at the time of the crimes, and furthermore, he did not have the mental capacity to enter into a contract to pay for attorney fees. Ward’s age and mental competency were not issues during the guilty plea or sentencing hearings, and there is no testimony in the record to support Ward’s claims. To the extent a defendant is reasonably able to pay, a district court shall order restitution for court-appointed attorney fees. A defendant’s ability to pay, however, is an issue apart from the amount of restitution. We conclude the district court did not error in assessing the costs of Ward’s court-appointed counsel as part of the restitution ordered in this case.”

Missing

Name: Catherine Miceli
Age at report: 36
Age now: 37
Weight: 175 lbs.
Height: 5’5”
Race: White
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Sex: Female
Incident Type: Other, adult missing

Catherine Miceli was reported missing to the Waterloo Police Department on Jan. 1. She was last known to be in Waterloo on April 9, 2007. Miceli has pierced ears and very straight teeth.

If you have information regarding the disappearance of Catherine Miceli, please contact the Missing Person Information Clearinghouse Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (800) 346-5507. From the Missing Person Information Web site: http://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/mpic.

8,694 : The number of prisoners incarcerated in Iowa prisons.

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