CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Skywest Airlines flight from Omaha to Detroit was diverted to Cedar Rapids due to an unruly passenger. Cedar Rapids Police arrested 23-year-old Mario Nikprelaj, from Nebraska, at approximately 6:13 p.m. Thursday. According to CNN, Nikprelaj was fighting a flight attendant and tried to open the emergency exit. He failed to open the door and the plane landed safely. The passenger was escorted off the plane by officers, and the flight left the airport at 8:24 p.m. He was charged with disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, tax stamp, and harassment. “SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behavior as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority,” SkyWest said in a released statement.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Dubuque County Sheriff’s office issued a warning about a phone scam trending in the area. A scammer is identifying as a Dubuque County Deputy and asking people for money throughout the area. According to the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, the scammer identifies as Deputy Shane Bockenstedt. This is the name of an actual employee at the sheriff’s office. The scammer claims the individual missed jury duty, has a warrant out, or is the target of an investigation. The scammer then asks the person for money in exchange for help. The Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office says to be aware and share this information along to family and friends. Don’t share personal information over the phone.
MYSTIC, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – A 51-year-old man is charged with murder after allegedly shooting a father and son. Deputies responded to an address on 470th Street in rural Mystic Tuesday night after receiving a report of a shooting. When police arrived on the scene, they found 62-year-old Randy Walker and 36-year-old Destry Walker, both suffering from injuries. Destry Walker was pronounced dead. Randy Walker was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital to be treated for his injuries. While on the scene of the crime, deputies were directed to a motorcycle crash nearby. Police found 51-year-old Robert Barrell hiding in the weeds near the crash. Barrell was identified as the shooting suspect “based on information discovered at the scene of the shooting and motorcycle crash,” as stated by the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office. Barrell is charged with first degree murder and attempted murder. This case is currently under investigation.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Kum & Go stores in Iowa are set to temporarily close for rebranding beginning this month. Kum & Go started in Hampton, Iowa as a family-owned business. It’s been in operation for over 60 years. In April 2023, Salt Lake City-based Maverik acquired more than 400 Kum & Go locations across 13 states. At the time of the acquisition, it was unclear whether Iowa stores would be rebranded. Now, rebranding is set to go into effect this week, with the first Kum & Go store closing on July 18. A majority of the stores undergoing rebranding are located in central Iowa. No closures have been scheduled for eastern Iowa stores at this time.
