Posted: 7/27/04
Vandals deface flag; Winnebago burglaries solved
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
An American flag was stolen from Brownsville on July 12, then defaced and returned a week later at the same time that a new flag was stolen.
The first stolen flag was returned with three burned holes and many things written on it, such as a swastika, ìwhite power,î a peace symbol, and ìGod is Dead.î
Neighbors who had been outside near the city hall until 11:30 p.m. on July 21 did not see any activity by the flag pole, according to deputy Michael Ernster. That was the night the new flag was stolen and the old one was returned much the worse for wear.
The sheriffís office also received a report of kids breaking a street light by the Top of the Rock tavern on July 12.
In another incident, a juvenile has been charged with the theft of a 2000 Chevy S10 on July 2 in Brownsville. It was found abandoned on July 3 by the Houston County fairgrounds in Caledonia. A juvenile complaint was filed on July 21. The youth is free on his own recognizance.
Houston County Sheriffís Department Chief Deputy Ken Frank said on July 22 that the vandalism in Brownsville was ìnothing too major yet.î He noted that there is a lot of foot traffic in the city lately, and a lot of young people, which is typical for this time of year. He said the sheriffís department is sending more patrols through the area.
ìWhen itís the flag, it doesnít make a lot of people very happy,î Frank said.
Burglaries solved
Two burglaries that occurred in the Winnebago Valley last October have been cleared up.
Alan Haag, 19, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Cole Donahue, 20, of Lansing, Iowa, have each pled guilty to two counts of second degree burglary, a felony.
Donahue pled guilty on April 14 and was sentenced on June 9 by Third Judicial District Judge James Fabian.
He will have to pay almost $6,500 in restitution to the victims, serve 90 days in jail, and assist one of the victims for two days at her cabin, where he broke windows and did other damage.
Haag, who pled guilty on May 3, received a similar sentence, and will be on probation until age 21. Judge Fabian sentenced him on June 16.
Allamakee County Sheriffís Deputy John Grampovnik received a tip from a confidential informant in February that helped solve the burglaries, which occurred on October 16, 2003 at a cabin at 69294 County Road 5, Caledonia; and at a cabin at 5018 County Road 2, New Albin, Iowa. Both are located in Winnebago Valley southeast of Caledonia.
Donahue had a party and gave away beer mugs that he had stolen from one of the cabins.
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