Sioux City, Iowa — A man who, by his own admission, intended to engage Sheldon law enforcement officers in armed conflict faces sentencing in federal court next month.
The Sheldon Police Department reported that they were called to Casey’s West shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Friday, November 2nd, 2018 for a man who entered the store with a rifle, took cigarettes, then left the store. The clerk on duty at the time testified that the man was told he couldn’t bring the weapon in the store, to which the man reportedly replied, “It’s not for you.”
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.
When contacted, the registered owner of the vehicle 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 Seventh Street.
Sheldon Police say a Special Response Team or SRT was requested, arrived on the 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 driver’s 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 that when they interviewed him, Tuttle said he had driven 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 that day.
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 was 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 Possession of Prescription Drugs, a Serious Misdemeanor; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Interference With Official Acts, both Simple Misdemeanors.
On January 24th of this year. Tuttle was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. Because he was indicted on federal charges, the state charges were dismissed.
Tuttle pleaded guilty on March 27th. Sentencing has been set for Friday, August 30th.
