MCSO nabs 2 suspects
Two men face multiple charges of possession of stolen property, and potentially others, after being arrested in connection with alleged thefts in southwest Iowa.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release early Monday afternoon. It reported that at 1:43 a.m. last Friday, the department investigated the whereabouts of a John Deere Gator in the northeast part of the county, reportedly stolen in Adams County.
“Deputies came into contact with the Gator at approximately 110th and V Avenue, where the subject driving the stolen Gator led deputies on a short pursuit, ending in a corn field, where the subject identified as Jessie Fitzwater fled on foot,” a press release said. “On the same date at approximately 7:07 p.m., information led deputies to Grant, where Fitzwater was taken into custody without incident in the 600 block of 2nd Street.”
The release said, “In connection with the investigation, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office followed up on information leading to the location of a subject by the name of Kale Briner, who was wanted for various charges out of Ringgold County; Nodaway County, Mo.; and Grant City, Mo.; as well as was a suspect in numerous burglaries.
“On (Saturday) July 30 at approximately 6:46 p.m., deputies went to the residence located at 608 S. 6th Ave. in Villisca in an attempt to locate Briner. Once at the residence, Briner saw deputies and fled on foot and disappeared within the block. A perimeter was established and a K-9 search was conducted.”
“The K-9 unit located Briner hiding under a tarp next to vehicles,” the release said. “After a short resistance, Briner was taken into custody.”
Deputies then made contact with the tenant of the property “and discovered multiple stolen and believed-to-be-stolen items located in the garage. A large amount of property was seized and taken for identification.”
The release said that on Sunday, the sheriff’s office followed up on information involving a stolen golf cart from Taylor County. As a result, deputies recovered the stolen golf cart at a residence in Adams County at approximately 12:25 a.m.
Both Briner, 32, of Grant City, Mo., and Fitzwater, 29, of Villisca, face multiple charges of possession of stolen property and further charges are pending. Both are being held in the Montgomery County Jail. There are possibly additional arrests forthcoming, pending the outcome of further investigation, the release said.