On Thursday, February 16, 2017, at approximately 10:45 a.m., the Ottumwa Police Department responded to Foxhole Firearms, located at 2603 Roemer, Ottumwa, on a report that a theft of a firearm had just occurred.

At approximately 8:00 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department located and arrested Ryan Sidney Comer, age 28, of Ottumwa, and recovered the stolen firearm.

Comer was charged with the following offenses:

• Interference with Official Acts (Enhanced), a Class “D” Felony
• Carrying Weapons, an Aggravated Misdemeanor
• Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, a Serious Misdemeanor
• Violation of a No Contact Order (warrant), a Simple Misdemeanor

This investigation into the theft of the firearm is ongoing.

 Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings:   “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

On Friday, February 17, 2017, at approximately 5:20 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department responded to 126 S. Cooper on a report that someone had been shot.  Police arrived and determined that Ryan Richard Reed, age 20, of Ottumwa, had sustained a single gunshot wound to his chest.  Reed was subsequently transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center for treatment to his injury.

Initial investigation into this incident resulted in the arrest of Travis Alan Skinner, age 33, of 126 S. Cooper, Ottumwa.  Skinner was arrested and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, a Class “D” Felony.  Skinner has bonded out of jail on this charge.

Officers from the Ottumwa Police Department executed a search warrant at Skinner’s residence at approximately 3:45 a.m., on February 18, 2017, in relation to this case.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ryan Reed being shot remains under investigation.   There is no information that suggests that the public is in any danger as a result of this incident.

 Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings:   “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two people were rescued after the van they were in ran into the Des Moines River after swerving to avoid a deer.

Des Moines television station KCCI reports (http://bit.ly/2kDHWiB ) that the accident occurred around 4:30 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 80 on the north side of Des Moines. Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Nathan Ludwig says the driver of the eastbound van swerved to miss the deer, and the van ran into a ditch and then into the river.

One person escaped before rescuers arrived. Authorities say two other people in the van were rescued by boat and then taken to a hospital as a precaution.

The names of those involved haven’t been released.