PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman
Marshal
On June 10, 2007 The Osage County Sheriff's Department requested that members of the Belle Police Department respond to the VFW Hall, just outside of town, in reference to male subject that had been shot. Sergeant Brian Brennan and Reserve Officer Amber Schmitt responded and secured the scene. It was reported to Officers that Timothy J. Long Jr. had been accidentally shot by his son Timothy J. Long III. Mr. Long Jr. suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach area. Officers recovered the weapon and it was later turned over to the Osage County Deputy. Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Gasconade County Sheriff's Department also responded. Due to the seriousness of the injury, Long Jr. was transported to the hospital via helicopter.
This investigation is being conducted by the Osage County Sheriff's Department. As of press time no charges have been filed on Long III.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman
City of Belle, Marshal
Reference: Shooting
During the morning hours of June 1, 2007 Marshal Chris Heitman, K-9 Officer Chris Pyle, and Sergeant Brian Brennan responded to 3rd Street near the Post Office for a female subject who was allegedly shot. After further investigation Officers discovered that the victim, Amanda S. Brachhold, was apparently injured by glass fragments and had not been shot; and her husband Michael Brachhold had no apparent injuries. The vehicle that the victims were driving had extensive damage to it that appeared to be consistent with bullet holes. Mrs. Brachhold reported to Officers that she was shot at several times by her father, Martin C. Byers, age 66 near County Road 714 and Highway 89 in Osage County. Mrs. Brachhold also reported that she had just won a heated custody battle against her father, Byers, and she felt this was the cause of the shooting. After an extensive search Byers was located near Hermann, Missouri where after a long stand off he was taken into custody without incident. It was reported that Byers has been charged with 1st Degree Assault, and Armed Criminal Action with no bond.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman
Belle City Marshal
The Belle Police Department will be conducting DWI-Sobriety check points, at various locations in Belle, during the month of June. The Belle Police Department will be assisted by other local law enforcement agencies, and the Belle Fire Department. These checkpoints are aimed at reducing the number of intoxicated driver related crashes, which occur on our roadways.
The checkpoint will involve briefly stopping traffic for the purpose of checking for impaired drivers. Please have your drivers license and proof of insurance ready upon request. Drunk drivers will be arrested no exceptions, and others will be allowed to proceed after a short delay.
Part of the Belle Police Department's mission is to enforce the law, establish good order in our city and provide a safe and secure environment for our citizens, which includes protecting them from drunk drivers.
As we all know Drunk Driving is a serious problem in Missouri, and we have lost several of our local residents due to drunk driving. Last year, 17,448 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes - representing 41 percent of all traffic deaths. More than 500,000 Americans are injured annually in crashes involving alcohol. The annual economic cost of alcohol-related crashes exceeds $114 billion. In Missouri, there were 523 alcohol-related deaths last year and 28.7% of youth drivers involved in fatal crashes were alcohol positive. This is unacceptable because drunk driving is 100 percent preventable.
I would appreciate your support during this checkpoint and ask for your cooperation if you are stopped. If you have any questions you may contact me at 573-859-3535.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman
Belle City Marshal
During the evening hours of June 3, 2007 Marshal Chris Heitman conducted a traffic stop on Highway 28 near 12th Street for defective equipment. After further investigation the Belle Police Department Drug Detection K-9 was called for assistance. K-9 Officer Chris Pyle responded to the scene, and his K-9 conducted a sweep around the vehicle. After the K-9 positively alerted on the vehicle Officers conducted a search. Officers located suspected drugs, and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Additionally, Officers located alcohol inside the vehicle. Officers arrested five subjects including two juveniles. Jacob K. Hollandsworth age 17 of Belle was issued citations for possession of drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia. There were a total of six citations issued ranging from a traffic violation, to minor in possession of alcohol, and drug violations. Charges are also expected to be filed in juvenile court.
During the morning hours of May 29, 2007 Marshal Chris Heitman conducted a traffic stop on Highway 28 near the east city limits. During the course of the investigation an odor of a controlled substance was detected. A search was conducted of the person, and a rather large quantity of suspected marijuana, and unidentified pills were discovered concealed in the suspect's pants. Elvis A. Limberg age 31 of Owensville was arrested and issued citations for possession of a controlled substance and a traffic violation. Limberg may be facing additional drug violation charges pending testing by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Lab.
On May 24, 2007 Sergeant Brian Brennan investigated a reported theft from Cones and Coney's. It was reported to Sergeant Brennan that an employee had been video taped stealing from the cash registers. After further investigation Officers arrested Susan M. Hankins age 23 of Belle for stealing. Charges are expecting to be filed through the Maries County Prosecutors Office.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Marshal
Belle, MO
On May 1, 2007 Marshal Heitman arrested Craig A. Hollis age 33 of Florissant MO for a warrant out of the City of Belle for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with a cash bond of $400.00.
CHECK POINT
The Belle Police Department hosted a DWI check point, and they were assisted by members of the Bland and Linn Police Departments. Officers checked a total of 682 vehicles, made 5 arrests, issued 52 citations, and gave 88 verbal warnings. Several of the citations issued were for open alcoholic containers, child restraint violations, no insurance, improper registration, and careless and imprudent driving.
During the course of the check point officers arrested the following subjects:
John C Femmer age 37 of Washington for DWI and driving while revoked, and officers discovered that he had two active warrants out of Franklin County for failure to appear with a total bond of $10,000.00.
Travis M. Hollandsworth age 33 of Belle for DWI and No proof of insurance.
Malissa R. Smith age 34 of Belle was first contacted at the check point on Highway 28. Smith allegedly traveled careless and imprudent as she left the first check point. Smith was then contacted by Officers on 5th Street. Smith refused to follow the Officers directives and was combative. Sergeant Brian Brennan ordered Smith to exit the vehicle and she refused. During the course of the arrest Smith allegedly resisted Officers. Officers located an open alcoholic container, which had been concealed in the front seat near a child. Smith was citied for Careless and Imprudent Driving, Open Container of Alcohol, and Resisting Arrest.
Charles E. Hankins age 26 of Bland was contacted by Officers during the check point. During the course of the Officers investigation they located a suspected marijuana plant in the vehicle. Hankins was later arrested for Possession of Drugs.
Scott E. Schnelting age 28 of Belle was contacted by Officers during the check point. During the course of the investigation Officers located suspected drug paraphernalia, and a suspected controlled substance. Schnelting was arrested and transported to the Owensville Police Department, where Officers located an additional controlled substance.
I would like to thank the Owensville Police Department for use of their facilities, and the Linn and Bland Police Departments for their assistance during the checkpoint. Without these agencies assistance this would not of been possible.
Overall the check point went very smoothly, and I intend on hosting several more check points throughout the year.
Police Officers Memorial Week
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 designating May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. I would like to ask all citizens to take a moment of silence remembering all the fallen Peace Officers especially, Trooper Ralph Tatoian who was killed when his patrol car struck the back of a truck on I-44, west of St. Louis, Missouri, at approximately 0430 hours on April 20, 2005.
Trooper Tatoian was responding to aid in a man-hunt to locate a suspect who was involving in an armed robbery in Gasconade County. Trooper Tatoian's patrol car slammed into the back of the tractor trailer, which was pulled partially off of the highway to assist with a previous accident. The suspect being sought was charged with second degree murder as the result of Trooper Tatoian's death.
Trooper Tatoian had served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 9.5 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Marshal Chris Heitman
Belle, Missouri
On April 29, 2007 Sergeant Brian Brennan and K-9 Officer Chris Pyle conducted a traffic stop on Highway 28. During the course of the stop Officers arrested Jeffrey S. Huckabee age 36 of Bland. Huckabee had allegedly abscondered from a detention facility in St. Louis. A felony warrant was issued for Huckabee with no bond. After arresting Huckabee Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located an item of drug paraphernalia, which had been concealed in a panel. Huckabee was transported to the Maries County Jail where he awaits extradition.
During the evening hours of April 29, 2007 Sergeant Brian Brennan, and Marshal Chris Heitman were requested to respond to assist the Bland Police Department with an assault that had occurred. Sheryl A Bialczyk age 45 of Bland had allegedly struck a male subject with a vehicle causing serious physical injury. The male subject was then air lifted to a medical facility. Bialczyk also allegedly caused extensive damage to property using a vehicle. Bialczyk was subsequently charged with Assault 2nd Degree Class C felony, Property Damage 1st Degree Class D felony, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident causing injury Class D felony. The Honorable John Berkemeyer issued a bond of $10,000.00. After assisting the Bland Police Department with the investigation Sergeant Brennan and Marshal Heitman were attempting to take Donald B Green of Belle into custody for Marshal Howard Miles. Green resisted arrest and officers were required to use pepper spray, and a taser to subdue him. Marshal Heitman, who is also a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Gasconade County Sheriff's Department applied for a warrant on Green through the Gasconade County Prosecutor Ada Brehe-Krueger. Green was subsequently charged with Resisting /Interfering with arrest, Detention or stop Class A misdemeanor. The Honorable John Berkemeyer issued a bond of $1,000.00.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Chief of Police
Belle, Missouri
The Belle Police Department will be conducting DWI-Sobriety check points, at various locations in Belle, during the month of May. The Belle Police Department will be assisted by other local law enforcement agencies. The checkpoints are aimed at reducing the number of intoxicated driver related crashes, which occur on our roadways.
The checkpoint will involve briefly stopping traffic for the purpose of checking for impaired drivers. Drunk drivers will be arrested no exceptions, and others will be allowed to proceed after a short delay. Part of the Belle Police Department’s mission is to enforce the law, establish good order in our city and provide a safe and secure environment for our citizens, which includes protecting them from drunk drivers.
As we all know Drunk Driving is a serious problem in Missouri, and we have lost several of our local residents due to drunk driving. Last year, 17,448 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes - representing 41 percent of all traffic deaths. More than 500,000 Americans are injured annually in crashes involving alcohol. The annual economic cost of alcohol-related crashes exceeds $114 billion. In Missouri, there were 523 alcohol-related deaths last year and 28.7% of youth drivers involved in fatal crashes were alcohol positive. This is unacceptable because drunk driving is 100 percent preventable.
I would appreciate your support during this checkpoint and ask for your cooperation if you are stopped.
PRESS RELEASE
To: Local Press
From: Chris Heitman, Chief of Police
Belle, Missouri
On April 1, 2007 there was a report of a burglary at the First Street Storage Sheds in Belle. Sergeant Brian Brennan handled the initial investigation. It was reported to Officers that approximately $15,000.00 to $20,000.00 worth of property was stolen. A victim, who had just moved here from New York stated "That was pretty much everything my children and I have." Officers received information that some of the stolen items may have been located at a local residence on Bland Avenue. After further investigation Marshal Chris Heitman made application for a search warrant through the Maries County Prosecutor Terry Schwartz. Officers also received information that some of the stolen property had been distributed to other residences in Maries County, Gasconade County, and Franklin County. Deputy Mike Cheek, an Agent with the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, and Marshal Chris Heitman conducted a search of a residence in Bland. During the course of that search Officers located numerous stolen items.
Officers later obtained a search warrant for the residence on Bland Avenue, and Officers located numerous stolen items and drug paraphernalia. There was over a truckload of evidence recovered from this residence. Several of the stolen items that were taken into Maries County, and Franklin County were also recovered.
As a result of this investigation Officers Arrested: Marline R. Brandt age 54 of Belle, Judy A Vinson age 33 of Belle, and Brenda K Sooter age 45 of Gerald. All three subjects were transported to Phelps County Jail pending warrant application.
After warrant application by the Belle Police Department all three subjects were charged with Receiving Stolen Property, a class C Felony. The Honorable John Clayton issued a bond of $1,500.00. I would like to thank the Gasconade County Sheriff's Department, and the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group for their assistance with this investigation.
I would also like to thank the Maries County Prosecutor Terry Schwartz for her extra effort on a Sunday evening. We would not of been able to return the stolen property to the rightful owners without their assistance.
On March 28, 2007 Sergeant Brian Brennan, and Reserve Officer Lloyd Rathgeber conducted a traffic stop on Eight Street, near Alvarado Avenue. During the investigation Officers requested Everett Roark age 22 of Rolla, to exit the vehicle. Roark later assaulted Reserve Officer Rathgeber by throwing a bag of powder, which was a suspected product to manufactured methamphetamine, striking Reserve Officer Rathgeber in the facial region. Roark then allegedly resisted arrest, and Sergeant Brennan was required to use his department issued taser to subdue Roark. K-9 Officer Chris Pyle, and Marshal Heitman, along with members of the Maries County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene to assist. After further investigation Officers located several items related to the manufacture of methamphetamine, including suspected methamphetamine. Officers arrested the driver of the vehicle Jason W. White age 27 of Belle, and Sherrill B. White age 27 of Belle. Due to several dangerous items in the vehicle Officers requested the assistance of the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group. Reserve Officer Rathgeber was later decontaminated on scene by members of Ozark Ambulance.
All three subjects were held pending warrant application. The Belle Police made application for an arrest warrants with the Maries County Prosecutor Terry Schwartz. Everett Roark, Jason White, and Sherrill White were all charged with Unlawful use of Drug Paraphernalia-amphetamine/methamphetamine. The Honorable John Clayton set a bond of $5,000.00. The Belle Police Department will also be requesting additional charges. I would like to thank the Maries County Sheriff's Department for their quick response when my Officer requested assistance.
On March 14, 2007 Sergeant Brennan conducted a traffic stop on First Street with a speeding vehicle. During the course of the investigation K-9 Officer Chris Pyle, and Marshal Heitman responded to scene to assist. The Belle Police Department K-9 was used, and she alerted on the vehicle. Officers discovered several illegal items in the vehicle including suspected methamphetamine. The driver was arrested, and application for an arrest warrant on the suspect has been made, however, the name is being withheld pending the issuance of warrants.
UPDATE
Richard L. Carbaugh age 38 of Belle was finally captured in Montgomery County Illinois after allegedly leading Illinois Officers on another high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle. Carbaugh was suspected of leading members of the Belle Police Department on several high-speed pursuits. Carbaugh was wanted for numerous felonies out of Maries County, Osage County, and Lincoln County Missouri. Carbaugh also has felony charges out of Illinois. I am glad to see Carbaugh captured without seriously injuring or killing someone.
The Belle Police Department is still attempting to locate Zachary Ellis age 28 of Belle. Ellis led members of the Belle Police Department on a high-speed pursuit and he is currently wanted by the State of Missouri Probation and Parole for a probation violation. Ellis is also wanted by Maries County for felony resisting arrest by flight, and he is wanted by the City of Belle for drug violations. If you spot Ellis obtain any vehicle information possible, and contact your local law enforcement agency. Do not approach Ellis as he is suspected of being dangerous. You may contact the Belle Police Department at 573-859-3535.
