A Sheriff’s Deputy from Pottawattamie County observed a suspicious truck parked at a motel in Avoca, this (Thursday) morning, while on routine patrol. After he contacted the driver, 24-year old Johnathan Lee Jay Behrens, of Harlan, it was determined Behrens had an active warrant through Pottawattamie County. Behrens arrested at around 1:50-a.m., and transported to Pott. County Corrections, where he was being held on $2,300 bond for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender, and Theft in the 5th Degree. A Cass County man arrested earlier this week by Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy, was picked-up by Pott. County Deputies on a Felony warrant for Gambling-Entice participation in a fraudulent game. 39-year old Stephen Keith Zeibig, of Griswold, was transported to the Pott. County Jail, Monday and held on a $5,000 bond.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 38-year old Ian Lee Leib, of Shelby, was brought to the Pott. County Jail by an Audubon County Deputy. Leib was being held in the Pott. County Jail for Violation of Probation, and on a Fugitive from Justice warrant from Audubon County. His bond was set at $10,000 altogether.  Authorities say 49-year old Michael James Ray, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Wednesday afternoon for Attempted Burglary in the 3rd degree, after deputies were called to a residence on Ray Lane for a disturbance. A 28-year old woman told the Deputy that her neighbor (Michael Ray) came to her door and began banging on the door and tried to push it open. An investigation determined he allegedly tried to force his way into the woman’s apartment in a burglary attempt. Ray was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

At around 2:40-a.m. today (Thursday), 32-year old Nicholas James Gatlin, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on charges of Domestic Assault with Injury and Obstruction of Emergency Communications, following an incident involving his 32-year old wife. She suffered apparent, minor injuries during the altercation. Gatlin was brought to the Pott. County Jail and held on without bond.

Police in Creston report the arrest at around 1:36-a.m. today (Thursday), of 20-year old Sundiata Ani Edwards. The Des Moines woman was taken into custody for Driving While Suspended, and later bonded out on a $300 bond. Wednesday night, Creston Police arrested 32-year old Sean Patrick Bagby, of Creston. He was taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bagby was later released on a $1,300 bond. And, Wednesday evening, Creston Police arrested 26-year old Tina Louise Perrigo, of Creston, for Driving While Suspended. She was released on a $300 bond.

(8-a.m. News)

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Insurance Division says it now overseeing a program that will help the roughly 500-thousand Iowa Medicare users. The director of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), Kris Gross, explains the program. “Medicare Patrol or S-M-P is a program to help Medicare beneficiaries prevent and detect fraud, errors and abuse,” Gross says.  Gross says there are a couple of ways Medicare users can help. “One is their Medicare summary notices — which shows what services they’ve had — and by monitoring those summary notices they can see if there are inappropriate charges, or things that they really didn’t receive services for,” Gross says.

And she says they can help by reporting scams that try to get personal information. “Remembering that Medicare and Social Security are never going to call you for your Medicare number. They have it,” Gross explains. “So, you should not be giving out those numbers to anyone who would just call you on the phone.”  The program allows you to call and talk to someone about any concerns. “If someone suspects fraud, errors or abuse, they can call S-M-P. Our 800 number is 800-351-4664. Or they can email us at smp@iid.iowa.gov,” according to Gross.

While she doesn’t have the state specific numbers — Gross says Medicare fraud added up to 50 BILLION dollars nationwide in 2017. “That’s a big number, and the S-M-P program and our S-M-P counselors across the state are hear to help people investigate those fraud errors and abuse — and if necessary — get them reported to the appropriate federal agency,” Gross says.  You are also are encouraged to visit shiip.iowa.gov/smp To learn about new Medicare insurance scams and discover tips and tools to prevent and report Medicare fraud.