O’Brien County, Iowa — Three people have been arrested and face several charges after a burglary investigation and search in Gaza.
According to the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, their office became involved in a burglary investigation on Thursday, March 9th, that began in Lyon County, which involved numerous stolen firearms. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the property at 6116 433rd St, Primghar, which is in the village of Gaza.
That afternoon, about 5:15 p.m., the sheriff’s office says an officer with the Sanborn Police Department located a suspect vehicle that was involved in the Sheriff’s Office burglary investigation. They say the Sanborn officer stopped the vehicle and obtained the driver’s license of James Skoglund from the driver when Skoglund fled the area and officers pursued. Officers say the pursuit ended when they apprehended Skoglund in a field south of the Hartley ethanol plant. Also in the suspect vehicle was Maggie Marie Johnson also of Gaza.
The sheriff’s office says:
Skoglund was arrested and was charged with:
- Eluding, an aggravated misdemeanor.
- Speeding, a simple misdemeanor.
- Stop Sign Violation, a simple misdemeanor.
- Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd Offense (Methamphetamine), an aggravated misdemeanor.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.
Arrest warrants were later issued for Johnson on charges of:
- Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Later that night, about 9:15 p.m. the report says the O’Brien County and Lyon County Sheriff’s Offices executed a search warrant at the James Skoglund residence in Gaza. They say several stolen firearms from the Lyon County burglaries were recovered from the home along with ammunition. Evidence of illegal controlled substances was observed at the home, and a second search warrant was obtained for the drugs. The sheriff’s office says methamphetamine, marijuana, illegal prescription drugs, LSD, and drug paraphernalia were all seized.
The O’Brien County Deputies say they were near completion of the search when a suspect in the burglary investigation walked through the home. An O’Brien County Deputy approached him and attempted to get identification from him when he fled on foot. They say the suspect resisted arrest and a physical confrontation ensued. The suspect was eventually taken into custody and was transported to the O’Brien County Jail.
Deputies say they then found a vehicle with Alabama plates on it that had been parked about a block from the Skogland home in Gaza. The deputies continued the investigation and found the vehicle had been stolen in Sibley.
The suspect was identified as Mason Alan Vandenbrink. Vandenbrink was arrested on three outstanding arrest warrants:
- Probation violation, a Lyon county warrant.
- Two counts of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, a Lyon county warrant
- Operation of a motor vehicle without owner’s consent, an Osceola county warrant.
Vandenbrink was also charged with numerous “new” charges by the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office:
- Interference with Official Acts- (Causing Bodily Injury)
- Operation of a motor vehicle without owner’s consent
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of Controlled Substance, LSD
- Drug Tax Stamp Violations
The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office reports that the next day, Maggie Johnson came to their facility about property that had been seized from the pursuit the day before. Johnson was arrested on the two arrest warrants.
In addition, they say Johnson was being processed at the O’Brien County Jail when another half an ounce of methamphetamine was allegedly discovered in her purse. Johnson was then charged with a second possession of methamphetamine charge.
The investigation continues says the sheriff’s office, and they say further arrests are pending.
Original story:
Sanborn, Iowa — A Primghar man was arrested after leading officers on a chase on Thursday, March 9th.
The Sanborn Police Department reports that late that afternoon, officers had carried out a traffic stop when the subject took off on them. Officers say the chase ended in a field near the Hartley ethanol plant when the driver had no way out.
The driver was identified as 32-year-old James Skoglund of Primghar. He was arrested and was transported to jail in Primghar. Skoglund was charged with two counts of eluding at 25 miles per hour or more over the limit, an aggravated misdemeanor; as well as speeding and failure to obey a stop sign and yield the right of way — both simple misdemeanors.
The Sanborn Police advise that this incident is tied to a larger incident, the details of which have not yet been released by the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office. They say that officers from the Hartley Police Department, O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the pursuit and investigation.
