The Madrid Police Department issued the following statement Tuesday in the case of a Jefferson man who allegedly stole four vehicles over the course of several hours Oct. 26 and was eventually arrested on numerous charges spanning five counties.
On October 26, 2019, Sgt Olmstead, of the Madrid Police Department, was dispatched to a hit and run accident, at the intersection of 1st Street and Highway 17, at approximately 11:10PM. A vehicle drove out of Git N’ Go, in a reckless manner, and struck another vehicle head-on.
The vehicle then continued for another block before the driver fled on foot. Sgt Olmstead did the accident report and cleared the intersection. In his investigation of the accident, he found out that the vehicle that fled was stolen just before the accident, from in the City.
It was then that he found out, that an Iowa State Patrol Trooper and Woodward Police Department, had a chase with a subject, that started just West of Madrid, on Highway 210. It was found that this vehicle was stolen from Madrid also.
With assistance from Woodward PD, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol, they started investigating and found another stolen vehicle a block away from the vehicle, that the subject was arrested out of, by Woodward PD.
The suspect was taken into custody that night by Woodward PD, and was identified as Kayden Allen Nelson, an 18-year-old male from Jefferson. He was charged with OWI (1st Offense), Interference with Official Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance (1st Offense), and Eluding.
Several subjects were interviewed that night in this case and evidence collected. It was found out that this chain of events all started at a house party in Dallas County. Several vehicles were entered and items stolen out of them. A vehicle was then stolen from the party and driven into town.
In town, there was a second vehicle stolen which was involved in the head on accident, where the driver fled on foot. Then several vehicles were entered in a path to a third vehicle that was stolen, also in the City. This vehicle was driven in a path and located broke down after it was damaged after being stolen.
More vehicles were entered before the fourth vehicle was stolen and Dallas County had the chase and took the subject into custody. At the time that the subject was taken into custody, property reported stolen from the car burglaries, was found on him.
Dallas County, Woodward Police Department, and Officers from Madrid, continued the investigation that led to probable cause being found to issue several warrants in this case for the same male suspect.
On December 13, 2019, Officers were notified that the warrants issued by Sgt Olmstead were active for Mr. Nelson. Warrants issued were (3) for operation without the owner’s consent, (1) for leaving the scene of an accident, and (2) for Burglary 3rd. A call was made to the Jefferson Police Department but they were unable to locate him.
On December 16, 2019, Madrid Officers were notified that the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office had taken him into custody and that he was being housed at the Carroll County Jail.
A retainer was put on him and he will be picked up by Madrid Officers on Wednesday December 18, 2019, when he is done with his time there, and transported to the Boone County Jail.
Dallas County also has a hold on the subject, so he will be transported there, after he is released from Boone County.
Chief Tasler stated, “This was a very long case, that a lot of hard work and time was put into. A subject came into our City and committed more crimes in an hour, than we have had reported in the last month, so we put a lot of energy into it. We worked hard to find probable cause for the crimes that warrants were issued for in this case. Assistant County Attorney Matt Speers, assisted with his opinion on this case, which was very valuable. We respect his hard work that he does for our City.”
Tasler also reminded us that the subject is innocent until proven guilty in court.
Nelson was arrested Oct. 26 on Dallas County charges of eluding, first-offense OWI, first-offense possession of a controlled substance and interference with official acts. Investigation of the incident led to additional charges of second-degree criminal mischief and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
According to an affidavit in the case filed Dec. 2 by Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Neal Vanderleest:
On the night of 10-26-19 Kayden Nelson and Devon Knapp (juvenile) were at a party located at 12778 Zook Spur Rd, Madrid. While at the party Kayden and Devon took a maroon 2016 Ford Fusion (LIC/HSY241) without the consent of the owner and drove the vehicle into Madrid.
Kayden and Devon took turns operating the Ford Fusion. While in Madrid, Kayden and Devon conspired to commit theft(s) from vehicles parked in town as well as theft of a motor vehicle. After stealing property from parked vheicle(s), Kayden exited the Ford Fusion and began operating a vehicle he stole while Devon continued to operate the Ford Fusion.
Devon then witnessed Kayden get into a head on collision in the stolen vehicle, with another vehicle. Kayden fled the accident scene on foot and Devon drove the Ford Fusion back to 12778 Zook Spur Rd.
While Kayden and Devon were operating the Ford Fusion, they caused damage to the front windshield, front passenger window, front driver’s side quarter panel and interior damage to the back passenger seat. The vehicle was also found to have property in it which was stolen from a parked vehicle in Madrid. The total cost to repair the damage to the Ford Fusion is $3,035.50.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
