Wapello County Sheriff Responds To Shots Fired Call

Wapello County Sheriff’s Department arrested and charged Joshua Pierce, age 27 of Ottumwa, Carl Penelton, age 29 of Ottumwa

At approximately 7:06 a.m., Tuesday June 28th, 2016 a citizen reported hearing gunshots in the 7000 block of Cliffland Road just east of Ottumwa.

The caller also reported a description of the vehicle departing the area. While responding to the call a Wapello County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a vehicle matching the description just south of Agency Iowa at which time the suspect vehicle began to elude the following Deputy. The Deputy followed the vehicle back into Ottumwa from Agency and then back east out of Ottumwa by way of Cliffland Road. The Deputy continued to follow the vehicle to just south of the Des Moines River Bridge in Eldon when the vehicle crashed into the ditch.

The suspect vehicle was occupied by four subjects all of which exited the vehicle and continued to elude the Deputy on foot. Assistance began to arrive by this time and three of the four subjects were taken into custody, with the fourth still at large.

No persons’ were injured at the 7000 block of Cliffland Road where the original call began. Assisting the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office on this investigation was the Ottumwa Police Dept., Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfield Police Dept. Iowa State Patrol and the Eldon Fire Dept. The matter remains under investigation and further charges are anticipated.

Taken into custody at this time and charged is Joshua Pierce, age 27 of Ottumwa charged with Possession, Receipt, Transportation, or Dominion and Control of Firearms, Driving while Barred and Eluding Law Enforcement. Carl Penelton, age 29 of Ottumwa is charged with Interference with Official Acts as was a 17 yr old Juvenile charged with Interference with Official Acts and released to their parent.

A criminal charge is merely a criminal charge and not an indication of guilt. All suspects should be considered innocent until proven guilty.