Lights and Sirens

Sheldon, Iowa — A Sheldon man faces a laundry list of charges following an incident that took place Tuesday evening (September 13th).

According to Sheldon Police, a motorist had reported to O’Brien County Dispatch that a motorist was westbound from Sanborn at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles in a reckless manner, and forcing cars off the road.  According to authorities, a Sheldon Police Officer intercepted a vehicle matching the description given by the caller at the intersection of North 5th Avenue and Park Street (Highway 18) in Sheldon.  The officer reported witnessing reckless operation of the vehicle, including using the left turn lane on Park Street to pass other vehicles, and running the stop sign at 2nd Avenue, where he turned south onto 2nd Avenue (Business 60).

The Sheldon officer says he got the vehicle stopped in the 600 block of 2nd Avenue, and made contact with the car’s driver, who police identified as 28-year old Saverio Marino of Sheldon.

According to police, Marino allegedly was armed with a handgun, and was reportedly in possession of prescription drugs prescribed to someone other than himself, at the time of his arrest.  Police say he faces charges of Felon In Possession of a Firearm, which is a felony.  He was also charged with 1st Offense OWI, and a Prescription Drug Violation, both serious misdemeanors, along with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure To Yield To An Emergency Vehicle, Failure to Obey A Stop Sign, or Yield Right Of Way, Passing in a No Passing Zone, Failure To Have a Valid License, Improper Use of Registration, and Operating Without Registration, all of which are simple misdemeanors.

Authorities say Marino was jailed at the O’Brien County Jail in Primghar.

Hospers, Iowa — A Winterset, Iowa man was taken to the hospital after a construction area accident near Newkirk on Monday.

The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office reports that just before 9:09 a.m., 51-year-old Robert Johnson of Winterset was driving a 2014 Broce Broom road sweeper eastbound on B40 or 400th Street near a construction area. The report says he stopped, reversed toward the south ditch and attempted to drive westbound when he lost control of vehicle and it entered the south ditch. The sweeper rolled onto its top in the ditch.

The Orange City Ambulance crew took Johnson to the Orange City Health System hospital for treatment of what were called “minor” injuries.

The Sheriff’s Office says the Orange City Ambulance crew and Orange City Fire Department assisted on the scene.

Sheldon, Iowa — No injuries were reported in a 2-vehicle accident that happened about 5 pm on Wednesday (September 7th) on Park Street in eastern Sheldon.

According to the accident report, a 2003 Dodge Stratus, driven by 25-year old Cody Schnider of Sheldon, was westbound on Park Street when a vehicle in front on him slowed suddenly to turn.  The report says Schnider was able to stop in time, but a 1999 Freightliner tractor-trailer, which was following Schnider, and driven by 34-year old Phillip Westra of Boyden, was not, and lightly bumped the rear of Schnider’s car.

Police estimated the damage to Schnider’s Stratus to be $3,800, while the Freightliner sustained an estimated $500 damage.

No injuries were reported.