Sheldon, Iowa — More information has been released into the robbery at Casey’s West in Sheldon early Friday morning.
According to a release from the Sheldon Police Department, they were called to Casey’s West shortly before 2:30 Friday morning for a man who entered the store with a rifle, stole cigarettes, then left the store.
Authorities say officers from the Sheldon Police Department, Sanborn Police Department, and the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded. Authorities say the suspect left the store in a silver Oldsmobile Alero with South Dakota license plates. The staff at Casey’s was able to provide authorities with the vehicle’s license plate number.
Police say officers learned the vehicle was registered to an individual living in Watertown, South Dakota. Officials say Watertown Police were contacted and were able to make contact with the registered owner of the vehicle used in the armed robbery. The registered owner reportedly told police he had sold the vehicle to Thomas Tuttle, the suspect in the case.
Police say that, with that information officers were able to obtain a photo and driver license information of the suspect. It was also learned, according to authorities, that Tuttle had outstanding warrants in South Dakota. Officers also reportedly viewed the Casey’s security camera footage and showed the staff a photo of the suspect. The video, and witnesses, confirmed that Tuttle was the individual who came into the convenience store with a gun and stole cigarettes, according to police.
Around 4:30 Friday morning a Sheldon Police Officer located the suspect vehicle in the 500 block of 7th Street. Additional officers were contacted, including the Special Response Team (SRT) consisting of officers and deputies from the Sioux County, Plymouth County, and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as officers from the Le Mars and Cherokee Police Departments.
Sheldon Police say the SRT arrived on scene and made contact with the suspect who was still seated in his vehicle. The SRT reportedly gained entry into the vehicle by breaking the drivers side window, then removed the suspect from the car. Police say that during this process the suspect resisted arrest, forcing officers to deploy a taser to gain control of Tuttle. Police say that after Tuttle was arrested a small baggie of a substance believed to be methamphetamine was found in his pocket. Police say they also recovered a loaded 9mm Kel Tec carbine with a 31-round magazine laying on the passenger seat of Tuttle’s car.
Authorities say Tuttle was taken to the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center for examination and treatment of some minor injuries sustained during his arrest. He was reportedly released from the hospital a short time later and taken to the Sheldon Police Department to be interviewed. Authorities say the interview revealed that Tuttle drove around Sheldon after robbing the Casey’s store with the intention of engaging with law enforcement in an armed conflict. Police say they also learned that Tuttle had intended to rob a Sheldon bank later Friday.
According to police, a search warrant was obtained and executed on Tuttle’s vehicle. They say items of evidentiary value were discovered in the vehicle including another loaded 17-round 9mm magazine, drug paraphernalia, a baggie containing prescription medication, baggies containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine, a digital scale, and several face masks Tuttle stated he intended to use in a bank robbery.
Police say Tuttle has been charged with: 1st Degree Robbery, a Class B Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, a Class C Felony; Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Class D Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine 3rd or Subsequent Offense, a Class D Felony; Unlawful Posession of Prescription Drugs, a Serious Misdemeanor; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Interference With Official Acts, both Simple Misdemeanors.
Assisting the Sheldon Police Department in this case are: O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office; Sanborn Police Department; Sioux County Sheriff’s Office; Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office; Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office; Le Mars Police Department; Cherokee Police Department; and the Iowa State Patrol.
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Posted 9:42am 11/2018
Sheldon, Iowa — An individual who reportedly entered Casey’s West in Sheldon very early Friday morning armed with a firearm generated a response from law enforcement from nine area agencies.
According to a clerk who was on duty at Casey’s at the time of the incident, the man entered the store carrying a rifle. The clerk told the individual he couldn’t bring the gun into the store, at which point the man stated, “It’s not for you.” The man then stole cigarettes and then left the store.
Sheldon Police Chief Lyle Bolkema says officers from the Sheldon PD and O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the Casey’s store. However, the suspect had left the business in a silver Oldsmobile Alero with South Dakota license plates.
Around 4:30 Friday morning, Bolkema says a Sheldon Police officer located the suspect vehicle in the 500-block of 7th Street. According to Bolkema, additional officers were contacted, including the Special Response Team consisting of officers and deputies from the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Le Mars Police Department, and Cherokee Police Department.
The Chief tells us the Special Response Team arrived on-scene and made contact with the suspect, who was still seated in his vehicle. According to witnesses, the SRT was forced to break the window out of the suspect’s vehicle to gain access to him, and place him under arrest. The suspect was then taken into custody, and charges are pending, according to Chief Bolkema. The Chief identifies the suspect as 33-year old Thomas Jesse Tuttle of Watertown, South Dakota.
Bolkema says no officers, and no Casey’s employees were injured during the incident. At this time charges are pending and more information will be made available as the investigation continues.
Assisting the Sheldon Police Department in this case are: O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office; Sanborn Police Department; Sioux County Sheriff’s Office; Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office; Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office; Le Mars Police Department; Cherokee Police Department; and the Iowa State Patrol.
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Original Post 8:36am – 11/2/2018
Sheldon, Iowa — An as yet unknown incident in Sheldon overnight resulted in a massive police presence in town early this morning.
KIWA witnessed law enforcement vehicles from the Sheldon Police, O’Brien County, Sioux County, and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Offices, along with an SUV from the Cherokee Police Department, the Plymouth County Mobile Command Center, and Iowa State Patrol.
We’ll bring you details when they become available.
