At 8:57 pm on March 28, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Thomas Rigdon, 22, of Oelwein. Rigdon was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication-Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest was made after a disturbance was reported in the 200 block of 5^th AV NE.

At 11:00pm on March 27, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Nathaniel Rohrick 24, of Oelwein. Rohrick was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication-Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest was made while conducting a welfare check at the corner of 2 ST NE and 3^rd AV NE.

At 3:58 p.m., on March 26, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Heather Marie Claussen, 36, of Oelwein.  Claussen was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance- Marijuana. This arrest occurred after an officer’s interaction with the subject in the 500 block of 1^st st se.

At 8:21 p.m., on March 26, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Austin James Troendle, 20, of Hawkeye.  Troendle was arrested on an Allamakee County Warrant for Probation Violation on an original charge of Criminal Mischief 4^th degree.  This arrest was made following a call in the 100 block 1^st av nw.

At 9:59 a.m., on March 25, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Brandon Michael Bowser, 23, of Oelwein.  Bowser was arrested on a Bremer County Warrant for Failure to appear for a contempt hearing.  This arrest followed an officer’s interaction with the subject in the 500 block of Rock Island Road.

 Oelwein Police investigated a motor vehicle accident in the 500 block 1^st st se at 10:35 p.m., on March 25, 2016.  A  White 2011 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Cameron Wilson collided with a Blue 2006 Ford Tauras driven by Shelby Shaffer.  Wilson was arrested and charged with Operating while Intoxicated-Serious Misdemeanor and cited with Driving without a Valid License and Failure to Reduce Speed.  The Oelwein Police were assisted by the Oelwein Fire Department and Mercy Oelwein Ambulance.

On March 24, 2017 at 9:00 p.m Oelwein Officers performed a traffic stop in the 800 block of East Charles.  Officers arrested Kashell Elexsis Allison, age 23 of Fayette for Driving While License Revoked, a Serious Misdemeanor.  Also arrested was James Daniel Mull, age 35, of Fayette.  Mull has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substance-Psilocyn,both Class "D" Felonies, Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Simple Misdemeanor.

Press Release

Oelwein Police To Citizens – Be Aware of Potential Hail Damage Repair Scams

The Oelwein Police Department are urging people to be on alert for unreliable contractors who may try to fool or deceive you out of your money in relation to the recent hailstorm.

Hail can damage vehicles, trees, fixtures, roofs, siding and more and people are generally rushed to try to get that damaged repaired. Be wary of persons that travel the path of these storms to prey on those that have experienced damage.

Victims of storm damage should be aware to not sign a contract or pay a repairman who shows up on their doorstep. Instead, they should check to make sure any contractor is bonded and insured, verify their address and website and check to see if they are a registered contractor with the State of Iowa. It is required for a contractor to be registered with the State of Iowa to work in the city of Oelwein.

It is also important to keep in mind that a person should not pay for the repairs in cash and to not pay the repair person but instead pay the company. Property owners are encouraged to get the estimates and agreements in writing.

Insurance Tips

• Call your insurance company right away.

• Take pictures of your damaged property. Keep notes and use an inventory list to help adjusters assess the damage.

• If it is safe to do so, make temporary repairs to your home to prevent further damage. You may tarp your roof, cover broken windows with plywood or tarps, etc. Be sure to keep a record of time spent and all receipts for work done on your property.

• Do not dispose of any damaged contents until authorized by your agent or claim representative.

• Listen to and obey local authorities.

If your property has been damaged as a result of severe weather, the BBB offers these tips before choosing a contractor:

• When approached by a contractor, ask for proof of licensing and bonding.

• Try to get at least 3-4 quotes from contractors, and insist that payments be made to the company, not an individual.

• Do not pay for the job in advance. Be wary of any contractor who demands full payment up front.

• Do not hire people who show up at your door offering services such as dent removal and roof repair.

• Resist high-pressure sales tactics such as the "good deal" you will get only if you hire the contractor on the spot.

• Check out the company first with the BBB at www.bbb.org and deal only with reputable local contractors.

• Get a written contract that specifies the price and the work to be done and a period.

• Prices are often high in the immediate aftermath of a storm. Buy only the services that are necessary to make your home safe and habitable. Wait at least a few days to hire other contractors because the rates are likely to drop.

• Pay by credit card, if possible; you may have additional protection if there is a problem. Otherwise, pay by check. Never pay in cash.

• Check that the contractor's vehicle has signs or markings on it with the business name and phone number.

• Be sure that all promises made are put in writing.

If you have a concern or question about whether or not a contractor is able to perform work in Oelwein, feel free to contact our local building inspector by calling Jim Prouty at 319-283-4311 or emailing him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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At 11:58 p.m., on March 22, 2017 Oelwein police arrested Bobbi Jean Brown, 21, of Oelwein. Brown was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-Serious Misdemeanor and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia-Simple Misdemeanor.  This arrest was the result of a citizen report in the 10 block of 4^th st nw

On March 21, 2017 at 7:44 p.m., Oelwein Police arrested Barbara Bernadette Swaggerty, 50, of Oelwein.  Swaggerty was arrested and charged with Forgery-Class D Felony and Interference with Official Acts- Simple Misdemeanor.  This arrested followed and incident in the 300 block 1^st av ne.

On March 20, 2017 at 11:05 p.m., in the 100 block of 1st Avenue NW, Oelwein Officers arrested Jacob Howard Straw, age 34, of Independence on a Department of Correction's Services Warrant for Escape from a Correctional Residential Facility where he was being held on an original charge of Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card.

On March 19, 2017 at 6"35 p.m., Oelwein Officers responded to a reported disturbance in the first block of 6th Street NE in Oelwein.  Officers arrested Mistie Marie Schmidt, age 28, and Sara Jane Kelley, age 29, both of Oelwein.  Both were charged with Interference With Official Acts, Refusing to Assist Officers, and Harassment of a Public Official or Employee.  All charges are Simple Misdemeanors.

On March 18, 2017 at 11:20 p.m., Oelwein Officers performed a traffic stop in the 10 block of 2nd Avenue SE in Oelwein.  Officers cited and released Ryan Zachery Martin, age 35 of Oelwein for Driving While License Suspended.

At 12:30 a.m. on March 19, 2017, Oelwein Officers were called to the 100 block of South Frederick for a reported altercation.  Officers arrested Richard Allen Fuller, age 46 of Westgate on charges of Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct, both Simple Misdemeanors.