Man arrested on drug, theft charges after chase through Floyd

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office charged a Mason City man with various traffic violations, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and possession of a stolen car after a chase Sunday morning.

The office reported on its Facebook page Tuesday afternoon that Sean Wendling, 52, of Mason, was arrested and charged with improper headlight, careless driving, driving while revoked, stop sign violation, felony eluding, possession of a stolen car and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

According to records in Floyd County District Court, Wendling was charged with a controlled substance violation, a Class B felony; first degree theft, a Class B felony; and eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement vehicle, a Class D felony; in addition to the other traffic charges.

The Sheriff’s Office said that at 12:57 a.m. Sunday deputies attempted to stop a car for a traffic violation west of Floyd on the Avenue of the Saints.

“The car sped off” and led the deputy on a chase through Floyd, the report said. The driver eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled into a wooded area east of the truck stops. After a brief search a K9 from the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office located Wendling, the report said.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Charles City Police Department, Iowa State Patrol and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office.

Man faces theft charge after sax sting

A Charles City man was charged with second-degree theft for allegedly having in his possession a saxophone worth $1,155 that had been stolen at the YMCA.

Jason Moore, 36, of Charles City, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Friday in the 800 block of Kelly Street after Charles City police conducted what they called a sting operation.

According to Police Capt. Brandon Franke, Moore listed for sale on social media a Yamaha alto saxophone that matched the description of an instrument that had been reported stolen from the Charles City YMCA on Oct. 20.

Franke said police contacted Moore under the guise of wanting to buy the sax and arrested him when he showed up with the sax in his possession.

Second-degree theft–possession of stolen property is a Class D felony. Moore was released on his own recognizance.

Police investigate alleged stabbing incident

Charles City police are continuing to investigate an alleged stabbing incident said to have occurred early Sunday morning.

The police report said officers responded to a report of a stabbing in a parking lot at 2: 4 a.m. in the 700 block of Riverside Drive, but when they arrived the alleged victim had already been transported by private vehicle to the Floyd County Medical Center Emergency Room.

Capt. Brandon Franke said Tuesday afternoon that police have a good idea who was involved in the incident. No arrests have been made but charges are pending, a report said.

Franke said the wound was “non-life-threatening.”

Earlier reports had listed the location of the incident as the 800 block of 11th Street, which is the address for the hospital.