PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Marshal
Belle, MO
On June 20, 2008 at approximately 11:30 pm members of the Belle Police Department, Belle Fire Department, and Ozark Central Ambulance responded to a motor vehicle accident on Highway 28 near 5th Street. The vehicle had traveled off the right side of the roadway getting stuck in the ditch. After further investigation Officers arrested, the driver, Timothy J. Marquart age 48 of Belle for DWI. Officers located several open alcoholic containers inside the vehicle, along with a loaded firearm. Marquart was issued traffic citations and released later the next morning. Marquart may be facing additional charges. It is a felony to be intoxicated and in possession of a loaded firearm. Intoxicated drivers injure and kill thousands of drivers each year, and I am glad no one was seriously injured in this accident.
On July 1, 2008 members of the Belle Police Department responded to an address on Johnson Avenue for a report of a subject trespassing inside an abandoned trailer. Officers located the suspect identified as Mathew J. Lowery age 31 of Vienna inside the trailer. Lowery was placed under arrest for trespassing. It was determined that Lowery had an outstanding warrant for probation violation out of Oklahoma for Assault with a $10,000.00 bond. Officers also located drug paraphernalia and a suspected controlled substance inside the trailer. Lowery, who is currently on probation in Maries County for drug violations, may also be facing additional drug charges.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Chief of Police
Belle, MO
On March 30, 2008 Belle Officers conducted a traffic stop on Route EE for a minor traffic violation. Officers arrested the driver of the vehicle, Robert A. Christensen age 47 of Florence South Carolina, for no valid drivers license. After further investigation officers located a substantial amount of drug paraphernalia related to the use of crack cocaine. Some of these items were field-tested and they tested positive for cocaine. Officers arrested a passenger of the vehicle, Alfred Lamar Willis age 31 of Deland Florida, for a no bond fugitive re-arrest warrant out of Hamilton Superior Court 3 in Indiana. The warrant was for two counts of felony theft. Willis had been a fugitive for the past 8 years. Officers also arrested the other passenger of the vehicle, Vicki L. Higgins age 46 of Florence South Carolina, for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both Christensen, and Higgins posted bond and were released later that afternoon. Willis is currently being held in Phelps County Jail pending extradition from Indiana. I would like to commend Officer Chris Pyle for his good work during this arrest.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Chief of Police
Belle, MO
On March 1, 2008 Officer Chris Pyle responded to a domestic disturbance on Linn Avenue. During the course of the investigation Officers arrested Gary L. Pierce age 34 of Belle. Pierce was arrested for a domestic violence, and he had an outstanding warrant out of Pulaski County for Possession of Marijuana with a bond of $893.50. Officers conducted a search of the residence and located suspected drug paraphernalia, and a suspected controlled substance. Pierce faces additional drug charges for the violations.
Pierce was taken to Phelps County Jail pending extradition.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is, of course, presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Chief of Police
Belle, MO
During the morning hours of March 1, 2008 Officer Chris Pyle conducted a traffic stop on Alvarado Avenue near Highway 28.
Marshal Chris Heitman and Officer Betty Sickendick also assisted with the investigation. During the course of the stop the Belle Police Department Drug Detection K-9 was used. The K-9 positively alerted on the vehicle. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle locating suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Officers arrested Jessica J. Weidler age 30 of Columbia. Officers also took temporary protective custody of a five (5) year old juvenile that was inside the vehicle. Officers suspected that Weidler was under the influence of a controlled substance. Based on the outcome of the Officers investigation Weidler was issued citations for possession of drug paraphernalia, DWI, and a traffic citation. Weidler also faces possible felony drug related charges, and possible child endangerment charges.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is, of course, presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Chief of Police
Belle, MO
On February 28, 2008 Marshal Chris Heitman arrested Roger J. Beer age 20 of Belle for several outstanding warrants. Beer had a warrant out of Randolph for sexual misconduct, a felony warrant for Burglary 2nd Degree/theft of a firearm with a bond of $10,000.00 cash only, and another warrant for traffic violations. Beer is currently being held in Phelps County Jail pending extradition.
On February 29, 2008 Marshal Chris Heitman, and K-9 Officer Chris Pyle arrested Leroy M. Seymour age 30 of Rolla for an outstanding warrant for parole violation. Seymour was listed as a parole absconder and had US extradition. This warrant was issued out of the probation and parole district 11, with no bond. Seymour is currently being held in Phelps County Jail pending extradition.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Chief of Police
Belle, MO
Reference: Assault/Resist Law Enforcement Officer
During the morning hours February 9, 2008 Officer Betty Sickendick conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with extensive front-end damage in Casey's parking lot. Marshal Chris Heitman, and Officer Chris Pyle also responded to assist. The occupants of that vehicle stated that they were just in a motor vehicle accident and that the driver of other vehicle backed into them at a high rate of speed then fled the scene. The driver, William J. Hightower 5th age 23 of Belle was taken into custody for DWI. Hightower suffered minor injuries, and his passenger Malissa Smith of Belle also suffered injuries and was later transported by ambulance to at Phelps County Hospital. A short time later Officers located the other vehicle that was involved in the accident at a residence nearby. This vehicle also had extensive damage. After further investigation Officers arrested Jeana L. Walsh age 39 of Belle for DWI and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident.
Officers located suspected marijuana related drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine related drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. During the course of the investigation Walsh resisted arrest and assaulted a female Officer. Walsh was cited for traffic violations, DWI, resisting arrest, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Walsh was transported to Phelps County Jail where she is held pending warrant application. Officers are applying for possible felony charges on Walsh with the Maries County Prosecutors Office. I would like to thank the Maries County Sheriff's Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their assistance with this investigation.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is, of course, presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman
Chief of Police, Belle MO
On February 3, 2008 it was reported that a residence on Bland Avenue was unlawfully entered, and a felony amount of property was stolen. Officers canvassed the area to no avail. Officers received a break in the case on February 7, 2008 when they recovered some of the stolen property. After further investigation Officers interviewed a male juvenile, and he was taken into custody. The juvenile is being held in the juvenile detention center. The juvenile is being charged with Felony-Burglary 2nd Degree, and Felony-Stealing.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman
Chief of Police Belle, Missouri
On Friday, November 30, 2007 I was having his my Dish Network Satellite system serviced at my residence. Two Dish Network technicians came into my residence and I immediately detected the odor of burnt marijuana, and they appeared to under the influence. Withholding my frustration because my wife and daughter were in the room I allowed them to fix my satellite system. As the workers left my residence I notified my Officer, Chris Pyle. Officer Pyle stopped the workers on Third Street just down the street from my residence. With the assistance of the Belle Police Department Drug Detection K-9 Officer Pyle located suspected marijuana and suspected drug paraphernalia.
Officer Pyle arrested James M. Naquin age 39 of Bourbon, and Douglas A. Summers Jr. age 24 of Sullivan. Naquin faces charges for possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Summers faces charges for possession of drug paraphernalia. Both subject face a fine up to $500.00 and/or 90 days in the county jail. Naquin and Summers will be arraigned at the Belle Municipal Court on December 18, 2007.
Citizens should be cautious of anyone they allow to come into their residence.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman
City Marshal
During the morning hours of November 9, 2007 Sergeant Brian Brennan, and Marshal Chris Heitman responded to a report of a large fight in progress on 5th Street. The reporting party believed that there were 10 people fighting.
Officers responded to the scene and several suspects fled on foot. Officers located several suspects at a nearby residence on 5th Street. Officers attempted to arrest one of the juvenile suspects and they fled into a residence. The suspect resisted arrest and Officers tasered the male suspect and he was taken into custody without further incident. Officers attempted to arrest Krista Cochran age 19 of Belle for minor in possession and peace disturbance, and she also resisted Officers. Cochran pulled away from Officers and attempted to flee. Cochran was also taken into custody after being Tasered. There were several underage subjects drinking while at the residence. Officers took another juvenile into custody without incident. Officers also arrested Amber Shoults age 18 of Belle for minor in possession. Officers requested the assistance of the Maries County Sheriff's Department.
While at the scene two other male individuals, who were involved in the fight earlier, returned to the scene and attempted to attack some of the suspects already in custody. Officers arrested Nicholas Strout age 17 of Owensville for minor in possession, peace disturbance, and resisting arrest. Officers also arrested Gregory Janes age 18 of Owensville for minor in possession and peace disturbance. Strout had clamed that he had a gun and was willing to use it. Officers conducted a search of his residence, to no avail.
Officers arrested a total of 6 suspects and have over 10 charges pending. I would like to thank the Maries County Sheriff's Department for their assistance with this situation.
On November 17, 2007 Sergeant Brian Brennan assisted the Division of Family Services with an investigation on 7th Street. During the course of the investigation two female suspects fled the residence by exiting through a window. Marshal Chris Heitman, and Reserve Officer David Heflin responded to the scene to assist. Officers located several items of drug paraphernalia inside the residence. Officers believed that there was methamphetmine use and marijuana use taking place inside the residence. The two women who fled from the scene, Dawn M. Roberts age 31 of Belle, and April Wheeler age34 of New Haven were later taken into custody. Both suspects had outstanding warrants for their arrest. Officers also arrested Anthony M. Collins age 18 of Belle for possession of drug paraphernalia, and Timothy Horner age 27 of Belle for possession of drug paraphernalia. Additional resisting arrest charges, and obstruction of justice charges may be pending. Officers also took custody of 4 minor children from the residence. The children were placed into foster care later that evening.
I can assure you that I will ask for the maximum sentence on anyone who possesses or uses drugs in the same residence as children. The safety of children has to be our primary concern when considering taking them away from family.
