Two of a kind

Austin Lee Russell, 33, the TV celebrity simply known as “Chumlee” to most viewers of the cable show “Pawn Stars,” was arrested in Las Vegas on March 9 for felony weapon and drug charges. Officers allegedly found methamphetamine, marijuana and a gun at his home while serving a search warrant in a sexual assault investigation. No charges have yet been filed on any sex-crime allegations.

Tanner Joe Vinton is not a cable TV star, but he was also arrested on narcotics charges. The Des Moines Police took the 31-year-old into custody on March 14, charging him with methamphetamine possession as well as third degree theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a prescription drug.

Blotter — Des Moines

Hot and spicy burritos
Des Moines Police were dispatched on March 11 in reference to an “open fire” in a lawn at a home on the north side. By the time officers arrived, the fire department had extinguished the flames. Firefighters told officers that the parents living at the household instigated the blaze. After starting the bonfire, the parents allegedly then left to get some burritos, leaving their children behind. The man who reported the blaze told officers he’s been having issues with his neighbors recently, and that today he saw “flames that were taller than a fence.” When the suspect returned home, she was apologetic and claimed not to know about the city ordinance banning such fires.

Unhappy home
At 5:38 p.m., officers were dispatched to an apartment near 35th Street and University Avenue. Upon arrival, police witnessed a female screaming from an upstairs window at a male below. The officers went inside and spoke with the woman, who told them she and her boyfriend had gotten into a verbal altercation. This altercation continued as the officers attempted to listen to both parties’ side of the spat. The woman then began making preparations to vacate the premises but stopped and aggressively moved toward her boyfriend. She stuck her finger in his face and attempted to punch him. The man ducked and the blow caught the back of his head. No marks were left, but the woman was arrested for domestic assault.

Drunken rage
An officer was called to a north side residence on March 14 shortly after 2 a.m. on a complaint of domestic assault. The victim told the officer that everyone in the house had been sleeping while the suspect drank alcohol and became extremely intoxicated. The man woke the woman up at one point and began screaming profanities. He then grabbed her by the arms and threw her against a wall. The victim stated she received noticeable bruises to both of her arms. She then called the man’s family to take him away and also called 911. When the officer arrived, the man was in a car attempting to flee, but the officer blocked the car and prevented it from leaving. The suspect exited the car but the officer was unable to ascertain if he exited the driver’s side door. As the officer attempted to speak with witnesses about the altercation, the man began screaming in a drunken rage at his mother. He had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and smelled strongly of alcohol and could not follow simple instructions by the officer.  The man was given a breath test and it came back at .197 percent. The man was taken to Polk County Jail and charged with public intoxication.

International House of bang
A shooting was reported at the IHOP on Southeast 14th Street on March 14, and police officers were dispatched. Upon arrival, officers cleared the building and ascertained that both the victim and the suspect were no longer at the location. Witnesses told police that two unknown males were sitting in a booth with two females when an unknown third female arrived and began yelling at the two females. A coffee pot was thrown at the third female and a fight broke out. One of the first two females pulled a gun and shot at the third female but missed. All parties left the scene. One of the witnesses later led police to the residence of the shooter, and she was arrested. CV