At approximately 5:27pm on June 1, 2025, Oelwein Police charged Kalie Gabrielle Smith, 27, of Oelwein with Driving While License Suspended. Smith was issued a summons to court for the infraction following a traffic stop in the 200 block of 2nd Ave NW.
At 5:50pm on May 29, 2025, Oelwein Police responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Rock Island Rd and 14th St SE. A red 2005 Chevrolet Impala driven by Zoe Neal collided with a red 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 15-year-old female juvenile. Initial estimates of damages were $5,000 to the vehicle driven by Neal and $12,000 to the vehicle driven by the juvenile. Neal was assigned fault for the accident and issued a citation for Failure to Yield Upon Left Turn. The Oelwein Police were assisted by the Oelwein Fire Department and Mercy Oelwein Ambulance.
On May 27, 2025, at approximately 2:00pm, Oelwein officers investigated a report of a theft in the 1300 block of Industrial Park Road. As a result of the investigation, Leslie Ann Thornton, 53, of Oelwein was issued a summons into court for Theft – 5th Degree – Simple Misdemeanor.
At 9:27am on May 24, 2025, Oelwein Police investigated a motor vehicle accident in the 10 block of 1st Ave SE. A black 2015 Audi AQ3 driven by Katherine Lewis backed into a gray 2020 Buick Encore driven by Dawn Dewey. Initial estimates of damages were $1,500 to the vehicle driven by Lewis and $2,000 to the vehicle driven by Dewey. Lewis was assigned fault for the accident.
At 10:54pm on May 22, 2025, Oelwein Police arrested Samuel Walker Hirsch, 50, of Waterloo. Hirsch was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense - Class D Felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest was made following a traffic stop in the 200 block of S Frederick Ave.
On May 21, 2025, Oelwein Police investigated two motor vehicle accidents.
The first accident was reported at 9:15am. A red 2017 Ram 550 driven by Armando Mendoza struck the viaduct with the equipment it was hauling on a trailer. Initial estimates of damages were $15,000 to the equipment on the trailer and $5,000 to the viaduct. Mendoza was cited for Striking a Fixture Upon a Highway after it was found they did not heed the height limit signs for the viaduct.
The second accident was reported at 11:00am in the Dollar General parking lot. A red 2001 Ford Focus driven by Autumn Paige collided with a black 2022 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Cynthia Wilkinson. Initial estimates of damages were $1,500 to the vehicle driven by Paige and $2,000 to the vehicle driven by Wilkinson. Paige was cited for No Driver's License and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability at Scene of Accident.
On May 19, 2025, Oelwein officers cited and released a 12-year-old male for Minor Use of Tobacco/Vapor Product – 1st Offense. This summons is the result of an incident on May 16, 2025, in the 300 block of 12th Street Southeast
At approximately 2:45pm, Oelwein Officers arrested Kaden Michael Brady, 21, of Sumner Iowa. Brady was arrested on a Fayette County Warrant – original charge – Harassing Communication 1st Degree. Brady was taken into custody in the 200 block of 14th Street Southeast.
At 9:08pm on May 15, 2025, Oelwein Police arrested Rodney Leonard Tafolla, 57, of Oelwein. Tafolla was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense - Class D Felony. This arrest was made following a traffic stop in the 1600 block of S Frederick Ave.
On May 13, 2025, at approximately 2:30am, Oelwein Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of 10th St S.E. As a result of this traffic stop Officers arrested Nycholas Dakota-John Thompson, 18, of Independence Iowa. Thompson was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1st Offense – Serious Misdemeanor, Possession of Vape/Tobacco Underage of 21, and Possession of Alcohol Underage – 1st Offense – Simple Misdemeanor.
OELWEIN PUBLIC SAFETY
CITY OF OELWEIN, IOWA
Media Release DATE:
May 13, 2025
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12th, 2025, the Oelwein Police Department, with the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol, executed a search warrant in the 100 block of 3rd Avenue SE in Oelwein. During the course of the search warrant, illegal controlled substances were located and seized. The following subjects have been arrested and charged:
1) Julie Ann Clark, 54 of Oelwein
Conspire with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver Methamphetamine - Class C Felony
Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent- Marijuana - Class D Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor
2) Rachel Ann Latham, 51 of Oelwein:
Conspire with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver Methamphetamine - Class C Felony
Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent- Marijuana - Class D Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor
The subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Fayette County Jail pending an initial appearance. Additional
charges are pending, and these cases are still under investigation.
Warrant Requested:
1) Deidre Joy Lee, 37 of West Union:
Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent- Methamphetamine - Class D Felony