OSKALOOSA – An Oskaloosa man is behind bars after allegedly attempting to break into a local business while armed with a handgun.

On October 29, 2026, the Oskaloosa Police Department responded to a report of an armed male attempting to gain entry into an Oskaloosa business. The reporting party advised that the man was at the rear of the business attempting to gain access and was believed to be armed with a firearm. Police say that the man left the area after becoming aware that law enforcement officers were responding.

Authorities located the man a short time later in an alley in the 100 block of North 1st Street, and he was identified as 46-year-old Oskaloosa resident Francis Jon Barretto.

During their investigation, officers found a 9mm Ruger handgun in Barretto’s possession, as well as a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, marijuana, a loaded syringe, and drug paraphernalia.

Barretto was arrested following this incident and now faces numerous charges, including:

• 1st Degree Attempted Burglary (Class C felony)
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Class D felony)
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Third or Subsequent Offense (Class D felony)
• Possession of Marijuana – Third or Subsequent Offense (Class D felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by an Ineligible Person (serious misdemeanor)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)