SCPD holds annual awards ceremony

The Sioux City Police Department held its annual awards ceremony on May 16 to recognize the accomplishments of civilians, volunteers, civilian staff, and officers during the past year.

Chief Rex Mueller, Chief of Police for the Sioux City Police Department presided over the ceremony and handed out awards for volunteering, lifesaving, and efforts made to improve relationships with the community and improve the department.

The following a list of the recipients and the awards.

Lifesaving – Officer Brooke Davies & Officer Brent Heald

Lifesaving – Officer Donald Schroeder & Officer Mike Simons

Lifesaving – Jeremy McClure, Officer Josh Fleckenstein & Officer Mackenzie Neely

Lifesaving – Officer Mackenzie Neely & Officer Lucas Petersen

Lifesaving – Officer Casey McBride

Community Policing – Officer Mike Koehler

Community Policing – Lt. Judy Kellen, Officer Ryan Moritz & Marie Divis

Chief’s Appreciation - Gary Niles

Chief’s Appreciation – Kevin Sampson

Chief’s Appreciation – Dr. Ryan Meis

Achievement – Capt. Mark Kirkpatrick, Lt. Kevin Heineman, Sgt. Jay Hoogendyk & Officer Marc Hein

Chief’s Commendation – Judy Kellen & Chris Groves

Chief’s Commendation – Jerry Levay

Chief’s Citation – Richard Crosby

Chief’s Citation – Forde Fairchild

Civilian of the Year – Sarah Hadden

Officer of the Year – Detective Josh Tyler

We wish to congratulate this year’s recipients.

Pursuit of burglary suspects ends in Le Mars - SCPD #22-10941

UPDATE April 27 at 1:30 pm - Detectives with the Sioux City Police Department have charged 35-year-old Amy Cruz of Colorado with 3rd degree burglary, two counts of 1st degree theft, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and failure to affix a drug tax stamp.

These charges are from the investigation into the burglary of Sioux City Ford in which Cruz and a male accomplice broke into the dealership, stole a pickup truck and tools.

Cruz was apprehended when the stolen truck she was a passenger in crashed.

Approximately 150 pounds of what appears to be marijuana and a pound of methamphetamine were also located in the vehicle Cruz and accomplice were in.

Cruz is currently in the Woodbury County Jail and the adult-male accomplice is recovering at a local hospital from injuries he sustained in the crash.

The investigation into this matter is on-going.

Original Release on April 27, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. - On April 27 at 3:21 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a burglary in progress at Sioux City Ford, 3601 Singing Hills Blvd.

Before officers could arrive, the suspects fled the scene in a box truck rented from another state and a pickup truck that they stole from the dealership.

A short time later, deputies with the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office located the fleeing vehicles traveling on Highway 75 and a pursuit ensued.

The fleeing vehicles entered Plymouth County and continued their attempt to elude officers. During the pursuit, the box truck was abandoned and both suspects continued their attempt to elude officers.

The pursuit ended in Le Mars when the stolen truck struck another vehicle in traffic.

The adult-male driver of the stolen truck was taken to MercyOne in Sioux City and is being treated for serious injuries.

Arrested was 35-year-old Amy L. Cruz of Colorado for a warrant out of Colorado and she currently is being held in the Woodbury County Jail.

Detectives with the Sioux City Police Department are investigating the burglary and additional crimes the two may have committed.

The investigation into this matter is on-going.

The Iowa State Patrol, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, and Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office are responsible for the apprehension of these subjects and are assisting in the investigation.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Felon arrested for possessing firearm after shots fired report - SCPD #22-11432

On May 1 at 8:47 p.m. the Sioux City Police Department received a report of shots being fired in the 100 block of Cecelia St.

Witnesses provided a description of a white Ford Taurus that was involved in the shooting.

Responding officers and deputies with the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle matching the description fleeing the area at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle was stopped and the three occupants were detained.

While investigating the incident, officers located a firearm and shell casings in the car.

Officers charged 23-year-old Ethan S. Hewitt of Sioux City with dominion/control of a firearm/offense weapon by a felon.

Officers charged the driver, 24-year-old Collin J. Muston-Rosewall of Sioux City with operating while intoxicated.

The adult-female passenger was released without charges.

No victims or property damaged was located as a result of the shooting.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Man arrested for stabbing in 1700 block of Pierce St. - SCPD #22-10599

On April 23 at 8:39 pm, officers were dispatched to the Sav A Lot, 1730 Pierce St., for a report of an adult-male suffering a life-threatening stab wound to his arm.

Officers were able to determine that the location of the stabbing occurred in the 1700 block of Pierce St.

Detectives were unable to speak to the victim initially as he was receiving medical treatment but were able to interview him on the 24th of April.

Based on their investigation, 34-year-old Joseph D. McCauley of Sioux City was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on charges of attempted murder, going armed with intent, use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime, felon in possession of ammunition, and felony possession of drugs.

McCauley and the victim knew each other and the stabbing was motivated over a disagreement of some sort.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Stabbing & shots fired in 500 block of S. Irene - SCPD #22-8874

On April 5 at 12:12 p.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a shot being fired in the area of S. Irene and Washington Ave.

Responding officers found that an adult male had been stabbed and went to MercyOne to be treated for a non-life-threatening injury.

The initial investigation found that three roommates of a residence in the 500 block of S. Irene had gotten into an altercation inside their home. One of the roommates armed himself with a knife and stabbed the other roommate.

The suspect then fled the residence along with an adult-male and an adult-female that had been in his company. The third roommate that was not stabbed gave chase to the trio and one of the fleeing group fired a gun in the pursuing roommate’s direction.

No one was injured by the gun fire.

All subjects involved in this incident are adults.

All the parties involved have been identified.

The names of the persons involved in this incident are not being released at this time as detectives are gathering additional information and this is an on-going investigation.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Shooting in 1400 block of W. 3rd St. - SCPD #22-8729

***Updated Release*** On 4//7/2022 at 10:30 AM, officers of the SCPD were able to identify and arrest the suspect from Uncle Dave's Bar.

Naji Shorter, 29, of Des Moines, IA was booked into the Woodbury County Jail for the following charges: Attempted Murder, Going armed with intent-Class D felony, Assault while paticpating in a felony- Class C, Willful Injury-Class C, and Prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

***Orginal Press Release***** On 4/4/2022 at 12: 17 AM, officers of the SCPD were dispatched to Uncle Dave's Bar for a shooting.

Officers arrived on scene and observed a male party lying on the front steps suffering from a gunshot wound. The male was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated for serious injuries.

Officers are still conducting witness interviews and canvasing the area.

The SCPD asks if anyone has any information about this shooting to please come forward.

The victim's name will not be released at this time and no further information will be released since the investigation is still ongoing.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Shots fired call results in kidnapping arrest - SCPD #8616

On 4/2/22 at 4:08 PM, officers responded to a shots fired call at 1800 block of Jackson Street.

At 1808 Jackson Street officers observed a maroon Honda Odyssey with the front passenger window shot out and bullet hole in the hood. Officers also located multiple projectile impact holes in 1808 Jackson Streets garage.

Officers spoke to two witnesses that identified a male party carrying a rifle style weapon and described it as being a black and gray rifle between 3:00PM-4:00PM hours on today's date.

Officers were lead to 1812 Jackson Street and made contact with the same male party, a Capri Rogers that was seen carrying that black and gray weapon. Officers were granted consent to search Roger's residence and observed a .22 cal revolver and a black and gray shotgun. Officers discovered a female who is Roger's girlfriend inside the residence suffering from multiple serious injuries.

Capri Rogers, 34, of Sioux City, IA was arrested for Kidnapping 1st-Class A felony, Felon in possession of a firearm, Class D felony, Reckless Use ofa Firearm-Aggravted misdemeanor, Felony Domestic Assault, and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon - Class D felony.

At this time no more information will be released because the investigation is still ongoing.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Shooting 700 block of 18th Street - SCPD #22-8110

Update April 6 at 5:09 p.m. - An updated description of the suspect is that of a black male with short hair and a tattoo on his face.

Original release on March 29, 2022 at 12:15 p.m. - On March 29 at 9:52 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department received reports of a shooting in the 700 block of 18th St.

Responding officers located a 16-year-old male at the corner of 16th and Jackson Street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to MercyOne with life-threatening injuries.

Initial information gathered indicated that the victim was walking on the 700 block of 18th Street when he was confronted by an unknown male party who started a physical altercation with him. During this altercation, the other man produced a handgun and shot the victim. The victim ran from the scene of the shooting to where he was located.

The person with the gun was described as a 6-foot-tall black male with dreadlocks (this description was updated to a black male, short hair, and a tattoo on his face) who was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Detectives are investigating a motive at this time, as this appears to be an unprovoked attack.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Sioux City Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 258-TIPS (8477)

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Shooting 1600 block of Nebraska St. - SCPD #22-7338

Update on April 25 at 10:20 a.m. - On April 15, 23-year-old Ethan S. Hewitt was arrested on multiple warrants in connection to the investigation of the March 21 shooting in the 1600 block of Nebraska St.

Detectives had obtained warrants for Hewitt’s arrest while he recovered from gunshot wounds he received during the incident in which he went to a residence in the 1600 block of Nebraska St. and shot at the occupant of that residence.

The intended victim, who was also armed, fired back at Hewitt striking him. The warrants were for attempted murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, attempted burglary, going armed with intent, possession of a firearm by a felon, trafficking stolen firearms, and driving charges.

Hewitt was taken into custody at his residence without incident.

Original release on March 21 - On March 21 at 4:15 a.m. the Sioux City Police Department received a report of shots being fired in the 1600 block of Nebraska St.

Responding officers located a subject who reported that two men armed with guns approached his residence in the 1600 block of Nebraska St.

When he confronted one of the men through an open window, the subject outside fired a shot and then ran to the front door. The resident armed himself and when the subject outside shot at him, the resident shot back.

The person outside that had fired the shots fled the area and a few minutes later arrived at UnityPoint St. Luke’s with life-threatening injuries. He remains hospitalized at the time of this release.

The second subject that went to the residence also fled the area and has not been located. His identity is not known at this time.

The resident and the subject shot know each other and this incident was part of an on-going feud between the men.

No charges have been filed at this time.

As this is an on-going investigation, no names are being released at this time.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Pedestrian struck and killed on I29 - SCP #22-6682

Officers have identified 53-year-old Christian J. Sanchez of Sioux City as the pedestrian struck on I-29 during the early morning hours of March 15.

We wish to express our sympathy to his family for their loss.

Officers are still investigating why Sanchez was walking on the interstate at that time, but foul play is not suspected.

Based on available information, no one will be charged in this matter.

The investigation in on-going.

Original Release of March 15, 2022 at 6:40 a.m. – On March 15 at 4:10 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to a reported a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle near mile marker 150.9 on I-29 in the northbound lane.

The adult-male struck died as a result of injuries he received.

It is not known why the man was in the roadway but witnesses reported he was in the middle of the roadway. The investigation is on-going.

No other injuries were reported.

The name of deceased will be released 24 hours after his next-of-kin are notified.

Shooting on Ingleside - SCPD #22-6619

On March 17, detectives charged 21-year-old Carlos D. Mejia of Sioux City with attempted murder, willful jury, and intimidation with a dangerous weapon for the shooting that occurred on March 14 at 1923 Ingleside.

Mejia had arranged for the adult-female victim to come to his residence to get money from him to use for the purchase of methamphetamine. When the victim arrived, she sent another woman to the door to get the money and Meija sent her away and asked for the victim.

When the victim came to the door, Mejia beckoned her inside where he was waiting in the kitchen. When she entered the back entry, Mejia had a gun in hand fired one bullet as she tried to flee. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to her abdomen which she sought medical treatment for. She is recovering at home. Mejia was booked into the Woodbury County Jail.

Original Release on March 14, 2022 at 9:36 p.m. – On March 14 at 1:50 p.m., the Sioux City Police Department received a report of a burglary to residence at 1923 Ingleside Ave. in which the caller stated a subject armed with a knife broke into his home and he fired a shot at her.

A few minutes later, an adult-female suffering from a gunshot wound came into MercyOne. She was treated for a serious injury and at the time of this release was still in the hospital. Officers determined that the woman with the gunshot wound was the person involved in the shooting on Ingleside. The adult-male resident reported that he shot the woman after she entered his home armed with a knife.

Detectives are continuing their investigation and are waiting to speak to the female who was injured.

At the time of this release, no charges have been filed. We are not releasing the names of the people

involved at this time.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Preliminary crime statistics for 2021

Chief Rex Mueller has presented the preliminary crime statistics for 2021 to the City Council. The preliminary statistics were compiled by the department’s Crime Analysis section and the official statistics may change slightly once the FBI has reviewed them.

Comparing 2021 to 2020, the department is reporting a 4% rise in overall violent crime with overall property crimes down by 4%. The department also looks at the trend of crimes reported over a five-year period.

“Clearly the continued rise in violent crime is a cause for concern,” said Mueller in his memo to the City Council on the statistics. “Many of these violent crimes are gun related, and current departmental initiatives are doing a very good job of identifying and prosecuting our most dangerous local offenders.”

The department continues to utilize a “major offender” approach to identify, investigate, and charge those committing violence in the community. The department also partners with other area agencies to share vital evidence and intelligence in these investigations. Finally, the department works with local and federal prosecutors to ensure that violent offenders receive appropriate sentences for their crimes.

Mueller credited increased efforts by residents and businesses to help reduce property crime rates. The department makes efforts to inform and educate the public on ways to prevent crime and reduce opportunities for thieves.

The department reports statistical data the FBI yearly and had bene reporting utilizing the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) system but is changing the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS).  Whereas UCR utilized aggregates of the monthly tally of crimes, NIBRS is more detailed and provides circumstance and context for crimes like location, time of day, and whether the incident was cleared (https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr/nibrs).

The official numbers for Sioux City will not be finalized until later in the year.

Correction: Chart was changed due to an error on the first chart, numbers were transposed.  Highlighted area indicates where the correction was made.

Suspects sought in Riverside shooting SCPD #22-3986

On February 14 at 12:54 p.m., the Sioux City Police Department received reports of shots being fired at Riverside Blvd. and W. 19th St. in Sioux City.

Responding officers did not locate any victims of a shooting as all subjects involved had fled the area. 

Officers canvassed the area and were able to locate shell casings and security camera video of the vehicles involved.

It appears at this time that the incident started in the 2400 block of Riverside Blvd., when an unidentified subject possibly in a late 2000s Nissan Versa fired several shots at another unknown subject in a newer dark gray Ford Escape.

Both cars left that area and traveled south on Riverside Blvd when the Ford Escape stopped at the intersection with W. 19th, exited his vehicle, and fired shots at the Nissan.

Both cars fled eastbound on W. 19th St. before officers arrived.

At the time of this release, no one has come forward as being a victim of the shooting. Officers did not locate any property that appeared to have been struck by bullets.

Officers are looking for a newer dark gray Ford Escape driven by a white male possibly with a beard and a light gray or white 2000’s Nissan Versa hatchback that is missing hubcaps on the passenger side.

Anyone involved in this or who had information on the identity of these subjects are asked to call the Sioux City Police Department at 279-6960.

Barricaded gunman in 1100 block of Grandview Blvd. - SCPD #22-3625

Feb. 10 at 5:27 p.m. - On February 10 at 11:33 a.m. a detective and officers with the Sioux City Police Department located an armed robbery suspect at 14th and Summit St. in Sioux City.

The suspect, who was identified as 36-year-old Emanuel L. Pleitez, was detained by officers to be transported the police station for questioning.

Officers handcuffed Pleitez behind his back and patted him down before placing him in the back of a patrol car.

While driving to the station, in the 1100 block of Grandview, Pleitez told the officer that he had a gun and was going to shoot.

The officer, who was by herself, immediately stopped her car and requested assistance. When another officer arrived on scene, they looked in the back seat and saw that Pleitez, who was still handcuffed behind his back, was armed with a sub-compact style handgun.

Officers backed away and established a perimeter as there was no safe way to remove Pleitez from the car. As additional resources arrived, trained Crisis Negotiators began speaking with him.

As this incident was occurring near a high school, the department contacted the school as a precaution and requested that they shelter in place so that a student would not wander out of the school and into the scene active incident scene.

Negotiations continued for over an hour to get Pleitez to drop the gun and surrender. When it appeared that negotiations were not working, officers and a Woodbury County Deputy approached the car in order to deploy a chemical munition.

As officers neared the car, Pleitez said he was going to shoot and shots could be heard coming from within the car. Officers deployed tear gas into the car through a window he had broken out. Within seconds, he surrendered without further resistance.

Pleitez was immediately provided aid and transported to MercyOne Medical Center to be treated for exposure to chemical irritants and minor laceration from the broken window glass.

As shots had been fired at officers, the Sioux City Police Department requested that the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation conduct the investigation of the shooting.

No Sioux City Police Officers or Woodbury County Deputies fired their weapons during this incident and no one was injured when the shots were fired.

An internal review of this incident will also be conducted by the Sioux City Police Department.

The robbery that Pleitez was being sought for had occurred on January 30 in the Greenville area of Sioux City. That investigation is on-going at this time.

At the time of this release, Pleitez was still being evaluated at the hospital.

As another agency is investigating this matter, we are unable to release any additional information at this time.

Local law enforcement agencies conduct traffic enforcement project on I29

On evening of Dec. 29, five law enforcement agencies conducted a traffic enforcement project focusing on I29 in Woodbury County.

The Dept. of Public Safety Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Sergeant Bluff Police Department, Sioux City Police Department, and Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office participated in the project.

During the project, 135 cars were stopped for various violations in total with 54 cars being stopped for speeding. In all, 187 citations were issued, and 146 warnings were given.

Arrests were made for an outstanding warrant, possession of 4 grams of methamphetamine, and 20 grams of marijuana.

A highlight of the evening was that none of the drivers stopped were impaired from drugs or alcohol in violation of Iowa’s operating while intoxicated law. 

These multi-agency projects are an effort to increase safety for those traveling on I29.

Several school threats meant to cause alarm investigated, students charged

On Dec. 16, the Sioux City Police Department became aware of a post circulating on the social media platform TikTok which made a threat of violence against schools to be committed on Friday Dec. 17 in all schools across the country. We immediately began monitoring this threat and working with our partners in law enforcement and the schools in Sioux City to ensure the safety of students.

During the evening of the 16th, we started receiving reports of threats against our schools that were being shared on social media.

In response, the Sioux City Police Department dedicated several officers to thoroughly investigating these threats. This included a report of a subject telling several people he was planning on bringing a gun to school, a conversation in which a student was implying threats against East Middle, a post depicting a gun with a threat towards North Middle, and posts on TikTok of several students at East High School pointing their phones like guns.

Officers worked quickly to identify the students responsible for these posts and to assess the seriousness of the threats. The department also worked closely with the Sioux City Community School District to keep them informed of these threats and to locate these students.

In all the cases investigated, it was found that none of the threats were legitimate and all were intended to cause alarm amongst the students attending Sioux City Schools.

As of noon, on Dec. 17th, investigators have charged six students with harassment in connection to the creation of these threats. The Sioux City Community School District has also taken steps to keep these students out of the school until the investigations are completed. Appropriate discipline measures will also be taken by the schools that could include suspension and expulsion.

Detectives are continuing their investigations into these threats and will be providing legal processes to the social media platforms to obtain additional evidence into the threats. Additional charges will be filed against students responsible for creating these threats.

Out of an abundance of caution, the department assigned additional officers to patrol around schools to ensure the safety and security of the students today.

The Sioux City Police Department, the Sioux City Community School District, and the Diocese of Sioux City Catholic Schools have a close partnership to address concerns and threats affecting the safety of children in our community.

The Sioux City Police Department has zero tolerance for threats or acts that endanger the safety of students. We will thoroughly investigate and charge those responsible for these acts.

We are committed to preventing violence in our schools and to ensure the safety of all students in our community.

We again thank the students and parents who provided us this information and encourage them to continue to be vigilant.

We also encourage parents to not only talk to their kids about the seriousness of this situation, but also know what social media their children are on and what they are posting.

Doorbell camera helps capture porch pirate

On Dec. 12 at 3:24 p.m. in the 4000 block of Morningside Ave., officers with the Sioux City Police Department took 37-year-old Casey Andersen into custody on warrants issued for his arrest. 

While arresting Andersen, officers noticed that not only did he match the description of a suspect who took packages off of a front porch in the 2200 block of S. Olive St. on Dec. 9, but he was also wearing the exact same clothes at the time of his arrest. This determination was based on doorbell camera footage provided by the victim of the theft. 

Officers booked Andersen into Woodbury County Jail for his warrants and also charged him with the Dec. 9 theft. 

Further investigations into Andersen have connected him to an additional theft of packages on Dec. 8 in the 5000 block of Glenn Ave and charges have been referred to the Woodbury County Attorney's Office in that matter. 

The doorbell camera footage provide was very valuable in connecting Andersen to these thefts. We encourage victims of package thefts to report the thefts and thank neighbors willing to provide valuable video evidence. 

Investigations made into threats against schools on Dec. 14 - SCPD #21-36549 & 21-36565

On Dec. 14 the Sioux City Police Department was made aware of a threat made towards East High School in Sioux City that was posted on social media in which a person posted a picture of a gun and said they were on their way to the school.

The department’s priority is the safety of students and had additional officers in the area of the school while the school implemented their safety measures.

Investigators were able to determine the person responsible for the threat and located her.

Their investigation found that the 14-year-old female had created the post with the intent to cause alarm but had no plan for carrying out the threat. The juvenile had created a fake profile on Snapchat and made threats to use a weapon at the school.

The juvenile was taken to Woodbury County Juvenile Detention and charged with class d felony terrorism threats and harassment.

Earlier in the day, the department was made aware of a threat that was made towards West High School and worked with the school to ensure the safety of the students.

Investigators quickly identified and located the 15-year-old male responsible for the posts and have referred him to the County Attorney’s Office for appropriate charges.

The department is committed to protecting the safety of students in our schools. We work closely with all schools to ensure that any threat made is thoroughly investigated. We continually review procedures with the schools that are used to protect students.

We appreciate the students and parents who brought this to the immediate attention of the school and the department.