CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) – Cedar Falls Police are investigating after the theft of an ATM machine. Officers were dispatched to the Dupaco Community Credit Union at 126 Brandilynn Blvd. for an alarm around 5:00 a.m. Saturday. Authorities said the alarm indicated an ‘ATM tilt Sensor’. Upon arrival, officers found the ATM had been damaged. Approximately 8 minutes later, an alarm was activated at Veridian Credit Union on 1050 Brandilynn Blvd. After further investigation, officers said a witness saw the suspect operating a Telelift and loading an ATM machine into the back of a pickup near Menards on Brandilynn Blvd. Police said the vehicle was located by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office traveling East on I-380. Officers initiated a traffic stop and the suspect attempted to elude officers at a high rate of speed. The pursuit went on throughout different parts of Black Hawk County until stop sticks were deployed. The vehicle hit the stop sticks and eventually stopped on Hwy 218 just north of Lone Tree Rd. The driver, 55-year-old John Fitzgerald Bennet was taken into custody. The vehicle Bennet was driving was reported stolen on Friday in Waterloo and the Telelift was taken from a construction site on Brandilynn Blvd. Bennet faces Two counts of 1st Degree Theft, Two Counts of 1st Degree Criminal Mischief, Theft 2nd Degree (Theft of Motor Vehicle), Felony Eluding and Numerous traffic violations.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau/KCRG) – Friday was the final scheduled day of the 2025 legislative session. Lawmakers won’t be heading home for the year anytime soon, though. Currently, the Governor and House Republicans don’t agree on a budget. Now, some state senators could complicate plans to adjourn. For years, the Republican-led Iowa House has passed eminent domain reforms, but Republican Senate leaders have never brought the bills up for a debate. State Sen. Dave Rowley (R-Spirit Lake) says he and some of his colleagues are fed up and adamant a vote happens this year. Rowley and 11 of his Republican colleagues have signed a pledge stating that they won’t vote on any budget bills until an eminent domain bill is brought up on the floor for a vote. Lawmakers have to pass a budget before they can go home for the year. Republicans have 34 of the 50 seats in the senate. If the defiant dozen keep their word and hold off on voting for a budget, Republicans may not have enough votes to pass one. And the budget is already holding up debate on a host of other issues.
MUSCATINE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Muscatine Police Department is asking for the public’s help after an assault early Sunday morning. Police said they received a call of the assault around 5:45 a.m. Sunday at 1004 Iowa Avenue. The caller said that one of the assailants had displayed a firearm during the incident. Authorities said according to the victim, both suspects retreated into the home following the assault. Officers secured the area and the residence was held for several hours as authorities conducted their investigation and ensured there were no ongoing threats inside the home. No arrests have been made at this time, but the investigation is ongoing. Initial reports found the assault was a targeted incident and there is no continued threat to the public.
WASHINGTON, Iowa (KCRG) – The Latino Festival in Washington, Iowa, has been cancelled. The festival is hosted by the non-profit group Latinos for Washington. According to a release from the non-profit, it is cancelling the event due to “current circumstances”. The release said the non-profit would continue to offer other initiatives, including free U.S. citizenship classes, scholarships for high school students, and educational workshops. The non-profit also said they are grateful for the “continued support” for their programs, which “provide valuable resources to our community.”
