On January 12, 2026, at approximately 3:56pm, Oelwein Officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident in the 100 block of 6th Ave Se. William Albert Walenceus, 60, of Oelwein, was operating a Maroon 2008 Chevy Suburban when he attempted to parallel park when he struck a White 2007 Jeep and a Blue 1987 Pontiac Fiero in the process. As a result of the investigation, Walenceus was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated – 2nd Offense – Aggravated Misdemeanor.
At approximately 9:25pm, Oelwein Officers arrested Dizney Marie Willenborg, 25, of Oelwein on two Fayette County Warrants. Original charges of Possession of Marijuana – 1st Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Willenborg was taken in to custody in the 10 block of 5th St Nw.
At 3:36pm on January 8, 2026, Oelwein Police responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Rock Island Rd and 7th St SE. A white 2024 Ford Edge, driven by Diane Sperfslage of Aurora, was stopped at a red light when they were rearended by a silver 2020 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Tyler Klenzman of Fairbank. Initial estimates of damages were $2,500 to the vehicle driven by Sperfslage and $1,500 to the vehicle driven by Klenzman. Klenzman admitted fault for the accident and was issued a citation for Failure to Stop Within the Assured Distance Ahead.
At 9:49am on January 9, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Randall Wade Cantrell, 58, of Oelwein. Cantrell was arrested on a Fayette County warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense - Aggravated Misdemeanor. This arrest was made in the 800 block of 1st Ave SW after officers responded to an initial call of property damage.
At 11:25am on January 9, 2026, Oelwein Police charged a 15-year-old female juvenile with Minor Using Tobacco/Vape Products 1st Offense. The juvenile was issued a citation for the infraction following a report of a student possessing multiple vapes at Oelwein High School.
At 2:27pm on January 9, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Joseph Michael Levendusky, 32, of Oelwein, following a traffic stop at the intersection of 14th St SE and Outer Road. Levendusky was arrested on the charge of Driving While Barred - Aggravated Misdemeanor. Levendusky was also issued a citation for Speeding in a 55mph or Under Zone (11-15mph Over Limit).
At 3:30pm on January 9, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Brian Lee Buhr, 56, of Oelwein. Buhr was arrested on a Fayette County Warrant for Failure to Appear on original charges of Controlled Substance Violation - Class C Felony, 2 counts Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense - Class D Felony, Gathering Where Controlled Substances are Used - Class D Felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug - Serious Misdemeanor. During the arrest, Buhr was charged with 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense - Class D Felony, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor, and Providing False Identification Information to a Peace Officer - Simple Misdemeanor.
At around 9:00pm on January 9, 2026, Oelwein Police arrested Crystal Lynn Harkrader, 42, and Emanuel Curtiss Receveur III, 53, of Oelwein. Harkrader was arrested in the 100 block of 1st Ave SE and Receveur was arrested in the 300 block of 7th Ave SW. Both were arrested on Fayette County warrants on original charges of Keeping of a Vehicle or Premises for Controlled Substance Purposes - Aggravated Misdemeanor and Child Endangerment - Aggravated Misdemeanor.
At 1:34am on January 5, 2026, Oelwein Police conducted a traffic stop in the 10 block of 5th Ave NE on a white Dodge Challenger earlier observed travelling at a high rate of speed heading northbound on N Frederick Ave and attempting to avoid officers by leaving city limits. Officers stopped the vehicle when it returned within city limits and continued to attempt hiding from officers by taking residential streets. The driver, Austin James Hoover, 23, of Oelwein, was charged with Reckless Driving - Simple Misdemeanor, receiving a citation and a Summons to Appear for the offense. Hoover was also issued citations for Speeding in a 55mph or Under Zone (21mph or Greater over the Limit) and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.
On January 2, 2026, at approximately 8:06pm, Oelwein Officers arrested Matthew Sterling Morris, 44, of Oelwein on charges of Harassment – 2nd Degree – Serious Misdemeanor, Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness - Serious Misdemeanor, and Willful Injury - Causing Bodily Injury – Class D Felony. Additionally, Brody Michael Marcussen, 32, of Winthrop, was charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness – Serious Misdemeanor and Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon – Aggravated Misdemeanor. Dennis William Marcussen, 57, of Oelwein was also arrested on the charge of Disorderly Conduct – Fighting/Violent Behavior. This incident took place in the 700 block of 2nd Ave Se after a reported fight taking place. Oelwein Police were assisted by MercyOne Ambulance Service.
OELWEIN PUBLIC SAFETY CITY OF OELWEIN, IOWA Media Release DATE: December 31, 2025
Release: Recent Business and Vehicle Burglaries Leads to Search Warrant
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30th, 2025, the Oelwein Police Department executed a search warrant in the 300 Block of 7th Avenue SW in Oelwein. During the course of the search warrant, illegal controlled substances, and stolen property were located and seized. The following subjects have been arrested and charged:
1) Hayden Jacob Dean Harkrader, 20, of Oelwein Burglary 3rd Degree- Class D Felony Burglary 3rd Degree unoccupied vehicle- Aggravated Misdemeanor (5 Counts) Child Endangerment- Aggravated Misdemeanor Possession of a controlled substance, 1st- Methamphetamine- Aggravated Misdemeanor Possession of a controlled substance, 1st- Marijuana- Serious Misdemeanor Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug- Serious Misdemeanor Theft 4th Degree- Serious Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor- Simple Misdemeanor
The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Fayette County Jail pending an initial appearance. Additional charges are pending, and this case is still under investigation.
This investigation has also led to three juveniles being referred to juvenile court services for alleged delinquent acts.
Juveniles
1) Male, 17, of Oelwein Child Endangerment- Aggravated Misdemeanor Possession of a controlled substance, 1st- Methamphetamine- Aggravated Misdemeanor Possession of a controlled substance, 1st- Marijuana- Serious Misdemeanor Theft 4th Degree (Possession of stolen property)- Serious Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor
2) Female, 17, of Dubuque Child Endangerment- Aggravated Misdemeanor Possession of a controlled substance, 1st- Methamphetamine- Aggravated Misdemeanor Possession of a controlled substance, 1st- Marijuana- Serious Misdemeanor Theft 4th Degree (Possession of stolen property)- Serious Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor
3) Male, 14, of Oelwein Burglary 3rd Degree- Class D Felony Possession of a controlled substance, 1st- Methamphetamine- Aggravated Misdemeanor Possession of a controlled substance, 1st- Marijuana- Serious Misdemeanor Theft 4th Degree- Serious Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor
Juvenile matters are handled separately under Iowa law, and all allegations remain pending. Offense descriptions for juveniles are provided for informational purposes and reflect equivalent offenses under Iowa law if committed by an adult.
On December 29. 2025, at approximately 7:50pm, Oelwein Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of West Charles St. As a result of the traffic stop, Dawn Elizabeth Peterson, 23, of Hazleton was arrested on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Simple Misdemeanor, Driving While Barred – Aggravated Misdemeanor, Driving While License Under Suspension – Non-Scheduled Infraction, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Marijuana 2nd Offense – Serious Misdemeanor.
On December 27th, 2025, at approximately 7:30pm, Oelwein Officers responded to a 2-vehicle accident at the intersection of Rock Island Road and 14th St SE. A black 2013 Ford F150, operated by Matthew Allen Platte of Rowley, collided with a blue 2014 Dodge Charger, operated by Gina Leigh Delgado of Oelwein. As a result of the investigation, Platte was issued a citation and placed at fault for the accident. Preliminary damage to Platte’s vehicle was estimated at $8,000 and Delgado’s vehicle was estimated at $6,000. The Oelwein Police Department was assisted by the Oelwein Fire Department, MercyOne Oelwein Ambulance Service, Iowa State Patrol and Midwest Collision Towing.
At 11:17am on December 24, 2025, Oelwein Police responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Hwy 150 and 14th St SE. A black 2006 Chrysler Pacifica, driven by Diana Calderon, was on 14th St SE heading westbound crossing Hwy 150 and failed to yield to a gray 2013 Dodge Avenger, driven by Tony Howard, who was traveling southbound on Hwy 150, leading to the Pacifica being struck in the passenger side by the Avenger. Initial estimates of damages were $6,000 to the vehicle driven by Calderon and $6,500 to the vehicle driven by Howard. Calderon was assigned fault for the accident and was issued citations for Failure to Yield Upon Entering Through Highway and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability. Oelwein Police were assisted by the Oelwein Fire Department and Mercy One Ambulance Oelwein, who transported one individual to Mercy One Hospital for precautionary checks.
At 12:02pm on December 22, 2025, Oelwein Police received a report of a vehicle that had just been stolen from the Subway parking lot. At 12:07pm officers located the vehicle east of Oelwein, still being driven by the suspect, driving through a field near the intersection of L Ave and Highway 3. The suspect then led officers on a brief vehicle pursuit heading westbound towards Oelwein, continuing to drive the stolen vehicle through fields before stopping at a tree line and property fence at 12:13pm.
At 12:14pm the suspect, Paul Benjamin Trey, 41, of McGregor, was arrested. McGregor was charged with 2nd Degree Theft - Class D Felony, 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief - Class D Felony, Eluding - Serious Misdemeanor, and Driving While License Suspended.
At 11:45am on December 18, 2025, Oelwein Police received a report of two Oelwein Middle School students possessing vape devices. Both students, a 14-year-old male juvenile and a 13-year-old male juvenile, were issued citations for Minor Using Tobacco/Vape Product 1st Offense. Both juveniles were released to guardians afterwards.
