Compiled by Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

On the clock
Des Moines Police — Feb. 25-26

Feb. 25, 2:44 a.m.
Terrorism in the 1400 block of East 17th Street. Officers were dispatched on a drive-by shooting in progress, but upon arrival the suspect(s) were gone. The house had six bullet holes in the front window and the paneling underneath. The victim claims she does not know who did the shooting, but her son has “multiple enemies.” Less than a year ago, a rival gang shot him at.

Feb. 26, 12 to 3:35 p.m.
Burglary in the 1000 block of Hackley Avenue. Officers were dispatched on a burglary call and upon arrival met with the victim. The victim stated that the house was empty for a while during the afternoon. When he returned home, he found his basement door wide open with a hole smashed through the door window. Upon checking the house, he found that two shotguns and a starter pistol, valued at more than $1,400, were missing.

Feb. 26, 7:50 p.m.
Assault in the 700 block of Grand Avenue. The victim stated that a large, balding black male in his 40s came out from behind a dumpster behind the YMCA, 717 Grand Ave. The man asked if he “could ask a question,” the victim said no and continued to walk away. The suspect followed her and pushed her down, then fell on top of her, but she kicked him off and escaped.

Busted

Name: Enrique Gutierrez-Sara
The story: The victim stated she was at Club A.M., 217 E. Second St., and had an argument with her boyfriend. She told police she began walking home when a male, later identified as Gutierrez-Sara, came from behind her and grabbed her around the neck. Gutierrez-Sara started dragging her westbound towards the Court Avenue bridge. Once they got to the bridge, Gutierrez-Sara kept trying to pick the victim up and allegedly tried to throw her over the bridge. As officers were walking out of the police station, they observed the assault and yelled at Gutierrez-Sara. He put the victim down and ran off. After a short foot chase, Gutierrez was captured and taken into custody and charged with aggravated 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. Daniel Lawrence Mason.

“Daniel Mason, a police officer, was acquainted with Marcia, who was the former wife of a fellow police officer. After Marcia was divorced Mason asked her out, but she was already dating another man. On July 28, 2004, Marcia had a headache and she accidentally left her back door unlocked. She woke up and heard Mason walking into her bedroom. Mason asked her to have sex. He tried to take off her shirt and touched her clothing over the breast area. Marcia went into the bathroom and threw up. Eventually Marcia talked Mason into leaving the house. Marcia testified Mason’s appearance made her feel, ‘very scared and very vulnerable.’ Mason was charged with burglary in the second degree and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.

“At the trial, Marcia testified as outlined above. Mason testified he engaged in a sporadic sexual relationship with Marcia between Feb. and July 2004. He stated that when they had an appointment to meet, the back door was unlocked. He stated Marcia was wearing about five shirts, and he grabbed the top one asking why she was wearing so many. Marcia replied she was ill and felt chilled. Mason stated he asked if he could stay the night with her, and she said he should go home. He left and quit calling Marcia after July 28.

“The jury returned a verdict finding Mason guilty of lesser crimes including criminal trespass and assault. The district court denied Mason’s motion for a new trial. Mason was sentenced to 30 days in jail on each count. He was ordered to have no contact with Marcia for a period of five years.

“Mason now appeals his convictions. Mason contends there is insufficient evidence in the record to support his convictions. He claims there is no evidence that an assault occurred, there was no evidence he displayed anger or force, and he states Marcia asked him to leave merely because she was not feeling well. The jury could have decided not to believe Mason’s testimony that he had a previous sexual relationship with Marcia. We conclude there is sufficient evidence in the record to support the jury’s verdict finding Mason guilty of criminal trespass. We affirm Mason’s convictions.”

Most wanted

Name: Adam Little
Age: 23
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Green
Wanted for: Third degree sexual assault. If you know where to find this fugitive, call Crime Stoppers at 223-1400.

$44,491 : The median household income in Iowa.

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