Whiteside County Sheriff's Reports

Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Paula J. Munther, 47, Morrison, for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving While License Suspended, Improper Lane Usage and Resisting or Obstructing a Peace Officer. Munther was arrested after deputies responded to a call of a vehicle in the ditch on Bunker Hill Road, south of Morrison. When deputies got to the scene, they found Munther behind the wheel of her vehicle, intoxicated. She was transported to the Whiteside County Law Center where she later posted $300 cash bond and was released pending a later court date.

A Whiteside County Sheriff’s deputy was assisting a vehicle on Penrose Road, west of Smaltz Road on March 21, 2008 at approximately 12:57 a.m. Upon further investigation the driver of the vehicle, Antonio Conchos of Tecumseh, OK was arrested for DUI and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Conchos was transported to Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office and given a Notice to Appear with a court date of April 24, 2008. A passenger in the vehicle, Daniel V. Morris, Clinton, IA was arrested on a Whiteside County Warrant for Failure to Appear. A second passenger, Bruce Hatfield, Thomson was also arrested on a Henry County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Fulton Police Department assisted at the scene.

Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputies are currently investigating a single motorcycle crash that occurred at 1:29 a.m. on March 22, 2008 at Elston Road, north of US Route 30, south of Fulton. A motorcycle operated by Alan Barsema, 21, Fulton was southbound on Elston Road when he lost control of the bike. Barsema was thrown several feet from the bike and was not wearing a helmet. He was transported by Fulton Ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, IA. He was later transferred to University Hospitals in Iowa City in very critical condition. High speeds and alcohol may have played a part in the crash, which remains under investigation. Fulton Police and Fire Department, Medic Ambulance and Midwest Towing also assisted deputies at the scene.

Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the scene of a motor vehicle crash on March 23, 2008 at approximately 8:12 p.m. on Norrish Road near Crosby Road. A vehicle left the roadway, went through a yard and struck a 1,000-gallon diesel fuel tank at the Mt. Pleasant Township building. The driver fled the scene on foot but was later apprehended at a residence in Morrison. Deputies arrested Ryan W. Belcher, 21, Morrison, for Leaving the Scene of a Vehicle Damage Accident, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, Driving on a Revoked Driver’s License and two counts of Obstructing Justice. Belcher was transported to the Whiteside County Law Center where he is being held pending a court appearance.