At 2:33pm on September 28, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Christina Irene Edith Williams, 43, of Waterloo, for Driving While Barred - Aggravated Misdemeanor, following a traffic stop in the 10 block of 7th St SE. Williams was also issued warnings for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and Using Electronic Communication Device While Driving.
At around 3:00am on September 27, 2026, Oelwein Police attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle that was going 100mph in a 55mph zone near the 1400 block of Rock Island Rd. When the officer activated their emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle increased speed and attempted to elude officers until it was eventually stopped about 15 minutes later, at the intersection of 115th St and P Ave, to the northwest of Maynard. The driver, a 17-year-old male juvenile, was charged with Eluding a Law Enforcement Vehicle (25mph or over limit) - Class D Felony, Driving While License Suspended - Serious Misdemeanor, Possession of a Controlled Substance - Serious Misdemeanor, Reckless Driving - Simple Misdemeanor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor. In addition, 10 additional citations are being issued to the juvenile driver for 5 counts of Excessive Speed, 4 counts of Failure to Obey a Traffic Control device, and Violation of Graduated Driver's License. The juvenile's guardians were notified of the pending charges, and the matter has been referred to Juvenile Court. Oelwein Police were assisted by Fayette County Sheriff's Deputies.
At 9:08pm on September 26, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Connor Douglas Palo, 33, of Oelwein. Palo was arrested on a Fayette County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault (Impeding Air/Blood Flow Causing Bodily Injury) - Class D Felony, after he turned himself in at the Oelwein Police Department.
At around 12:30am on September 24, 2026, Oelwein Police charged Jessica Ann Yerrington, 40, of Oelwein, with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) - Serious Misdemeanor and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor. Yerrington was issued a Summons to Appear for these charges following a traffic stop in the 10 block of 7th Ave NE.
At around 11:10am on September 24, 2026, Oelwein Police responded to a report of assault and property damage in the 10 block of 4th Ave NE. As a result, officers arrested Teegan Mae French, 49, of Oelwein, with charges of Assault of an Older Individual - Simple Misdemeanor and 5th Degree Criminal Mischief - Simple Misdemeanor.
At 3:16pm on September 24, 2026, Oelwein Police responded to a single-vehicle accident in the 300 block of 5th St SE. A white 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by Gary William Smith, 75, of Oelwein, was travelling westbound on 5th St SE when they lost control of their vehicle and left the roadway, striking a utility pole and rolling the vehicle onto its side. Initial estimates of damages were $15,000 to Smith's vehicle and $5,000 to the utility pole. While no injuries were reported on scene, Smith was transported to MercyOne Oelwein for evaluation. Oelwein Police were assisted by the Oelwein Fire Department, Mercy One Ambulance, and Midwest Collision Center.
On September 24, 2026, Oelwein Police formally charged three 17-year-old male juveniles following an investigation into damages reported by the Williams Wellness Center on September 17, 2026, which had received damage to its floors after the juveniles rode e-scooters indoors. Each juvenile has been charged with 5th Degree Criminal Mischief - Simple Misdemeanor and Trespassing - Simple Misdemeanor. Guardians of the juveniles have been notified of the charges filed, and the matter has been referred to Juvenile Court.
CITY OF OELWEIN, IOWA
Media Release DATE: September 24, 2026
Release: Northeast Search Warrant Executed - Arrest Made
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026, the Oelwein Police Department executed a search warrant in the 400 Block of 1st Street NE in Oelwein. During the course of the search warrant, illegal controlled substances were located and seized. The following subject has been arrested and charged:
1) Nicole Marie Cornish, 40, of Oelwein
Possession of a controlled substance, 3rd or subsequent- Methamphetamine- Class D Felony
Possession of a controlled substance, 3rd or subsequent- Marijuana- Class D Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor
The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Fayette County Jail pending an initial appearance. Additional charges are pending, and this case is still under investigation.
At around 8:00pm on September 21, 2026, Oelwein Police responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of 2nd St SE and 2nd Ave SE. It was found that a black 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Hunter Michael Johnson, 18, of Oelwein, was travelling southbound on 2nd Ave SE when they failed to make a complete stop at a stop sign and crossed in front of a black 2009 Toyota Prius driven by Kayleigh Jane Harger, 40, of Oelwein. Johnson's vehicle was struck in the rear passenger side and received disabling damage, while Harger's vehicle received damage in the front passenger side corner. Initial estimates of damages were $5,000 to Johnson's vehicle and $1,500 to Harger's vehicle. Johnson was assigned fault for the accident and will be issued citations for Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability. No injuries were reported.
At around 9:30am on September 22, 2026, Oelwein Police charged a 13-year-old male juvenile with Minor Using Tobacco/Vape Product. The juvenile was issued a citation for the offense following reports of a student possessing a vape device at Oelwein Middle School.
At 1:25pm on September 22, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Eli Robert Wayss, 22, of Oelwein, in the 400 block of 4th Ave SE. Wayss was arrested on a Fayette County warrant for original charges of 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief - Class D Felony and 3rd Degree Burglary - Class D Felony.
At 1:42pm on September 22, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Cheyanne Joy Welbes, 18, of Oelwein, in the 900 block of 3rd Ave NE. Welbe was arrested on a Fayette County warrant for 5th Degree Theft - Simple Misdemeanor.
At 1:30am on September 23, 2026, Oelwein Police charged Candice Lynne Carroll, 42, of Oelwein, with Driving While License Suspended - Simple Misdemeanor. Carroll was issued a citation and a summons to court for the offense following a traffic stop in the 900 block of E Charles St. Carroll was also issued a citation for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and an equipment repair order for nonfunctioning license plate lights.
On September 18, 2026, at 7:25pm, Oelwein Officers responded to a reported altercation in the 400 block of 5th Ave Northeast. As a result of the investigation, Zane Thomas Kirby, 21, of Independence IA, was arrested. Kirby was charged with Trespass – 1st Offense – Scheduled Violation, Criminal Mischief – 5th Degree – Simple Misdemeanor, and Assault – Insulting or Offensive Contact – Simple Misdemeanor.
At 2:19pm on September 14, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested a 15-year-old male juvenile on a Fayette County Juvenile Detention Order for an original charge of Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon - Aggravated Misdemeanor. The juvenile was transported to the North Iowa Juvenile Detention Center.
At around 5:00pm on September 14, 2026, Oelwein Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 200 block of 5th Ave NE, resulting in the arrest of two subjects. Christopher Austin-Tyler White, 30, of Oelwein, was arrested on a Fayette County warrant for Violation of Probation. Alexus Marie Kern, 22, of Newton, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (1st Offense) - Serious Misdemeanor.
At around 7:45pm on September 13, 2026, Oelwein Police responded to a 911 call about a dispute in the 500 block of N Frederick Ave. Upon arrival at the scene the presence of illegal controlled substances became evident. As a result, charges were filed against two individuals. Spencer Kyle Ferrell, 33, of Oelwein, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (3rd or Subsequent Offense) - Class D Felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor. Allison Lynne Peters, 39, of Oelwein, was issued a Promise to Appear and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense (Marijuana) - Serious Misdemeanor and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor.
At around 8:00pm on September 11, 2026, Oelwein Police detained and charged a 15-year-old male juvenile with Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon - Aggravated Misdemeanor. This charge was placed after officers responded to 911 calls of a male juvenile pointing a handgun at persons and buildings in the 700 block of W Charles St. The juvenile was located in the 10 block of W Charles St, upon which the reported firearm was found to be a BB gun. The investigation into the matter revealed the juvenile had brandished the BB gun and pointed it at another juvenile to threaten/intimidate them. The juvenile was released to the custody of their guardians, who were then notified of the charge being filed. This matter has been referred to Juvenile Court.
At 7:25am on September 12, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Kistler Earl Pritchett, 32, of Sumner. Pritchett was charged with 5th Degree Criminal Mischief - Simple Misdemeanor after officers responded to a report of Pritchett acting disorderly in the 100 block of 5th Ave NE, where it was discovered Pritchett had broken a window during a dispute.