Urbandale Crime: Drunken Drivers, a Runaway Truck and a Gas Robbery

Oct. 19: The owner of a tree-trimming truck that struck an Urbandale condominium last week was cited for parking the truck without setting the parking brake and for defective braking equipment, according to an Urbandale accident report.

The estimated damage to the unoccupied condominium at 8100 Dellwood Drive was $15,000 with another $5,000 damage estimated to the deck of the condominium above it.

The truck, owned and parked by Gregory Crooks, was parked on the grass between the curb and sidewalk of Colby Woods Drive when it rolled down the hill, across the street and into the building.

Oct. 20: Police and ambulances responded to a call from Urbandale High School saying a 14-year-old girl swallowed a number of pills. She was transported to an area hospital.

Oct. 20: A 44-year-old Washington, Ia. man was injured when he ran a red light while looking for an address, and struck a car going through the intersection of North Park Drive and 86th Street.

An Urbandale accident report noted that the 63-year-old Clive man who was driving the car that was struck complained of shoulder pain, but refused treatment from Urbandale paramedics. The Washington man was taken to a hospital for possible collar bone and knee injuries. 

Oct. 21: The Kum and Go gas station at 6990 Douglas Ave. reported that a customer drove away without paying for gas. A clerk who tried to stop the customer was assaulted so police classified the incident as a robbery rather than a theft.

Oct. 22: Robert Mark Valentine, 50, of Norwalk, was charged with first-offense drunken driving after an auto accident in the 6700 block of Hickman Road.

Oct. 23: Charles Joseph Link, 21, of Urbandale was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana after police were dispatched to an apartment at 8712 Carole Circle on a report of underage drinking and odor of marijuana.

Oct. 23: Michelle R. Moorehead, 24, of Granger was charged with first-offense drunken driving.