(Red Oak) Red Oak Police are searching for a suspect in connection with a burglary from University of Iowa Hospital.
At approximately 6:18 p.m. Tuesday, Officers of the Red Oak Police Department were contacted by detectives of the University of Iowa Police requesting assistance in attempting to positively identify a possible burglary suspect. The University of Iowa Hospital had been a victim of burglary, resulting in the loss of over $10,000 worth of electronic equipment, printers, phones, personal belongings and other miscellaneous equipment.
Red Oak Police Chief Justin Rhamy….
Officers of the Red Oak Police Department located the possible burglary suspect and began an investigation into attempting to positively identify the male individual for the University of Iowa Police. During the course of the investigation, the subject, identified as 45-year-old Stuart James Andrew Sellers, fled from officers on foot. Sellers fled south from the 100 block of West Washington with Officers in pursuit. Sellers fled into a creek after officers encountered a patch of ice, losing their footing and falling to the ground. Officers attempted to continue with the foot pursuit, but the distance gained in the creek was too great that officers did not stand a chance in attempting to catch up.
A perimeter was established as quickly as possible. Assistance with three K9’s from Montgomery, Mills and Fremont counties were requested, as well as the assistance of a drone from Montgomery County Emergency Management. The K9’s were able to track a scent for approximately two blocks to the east from Sellers last known sighting, where they eventually lost any further scent and any possibility of continuing the track. The drone with infrared capabilities was launched upon arrival with no success in picking up any heat signatures in the last known area.
The search for Sellers ceased at approximately 8:45 p.m. due to the lack of any fresh information or evidence as to Seller’s whereabouts.
As a result of the continuation of assisting the University of Iowa Police, officers of the Red Oak Police Department were able to recover a majority, if not all, of the electronic equipment, printers, phones, personal belongings and other miscellaneous equipment stolen from University of Iowa Hospital. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending on Sellers.
At approximately 5:21 a.m., Officers of the Red Oak Police Department were contacted in reference to a stolen pickup. Officers were advised that a 2006 white Chevrolet extended cab pickup bearing Iowa license CCU 984 was parked in the alley behind 709 E Nuckols Street and had been stolen at approximately 1:23 a.m. Other identifying characteristics of the pickup are: black fender flares over wheel wells, silver toolbox in back of the truck, and rust on the rear bumper. Keys to the vehicle were left inside the unlocked pickup.
Officers were able to obtain surveillance video equipment and positively ID Stuart James Andrew Sellers as the one stealing the pickup, therefore making the stolen pickup a direct correlation with the above mentioned incident involving the foot pursuit and the recovery of stolen items from the University of Iowa Hospital.
Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Stuart James Andrew Sellers and/or the whereabouts of the stolen pickup are encouraged to call Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-434-2712. You can remain anonymous and the result of valuable information could result in a cash reward. You can also call the Red Oak Police Department at 712-623-6500.
Assisting the Red Oak Police Department in the incident and investigation are the following agencies: University of Iowa Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County K9 Unit, Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Mills County K9 Unit, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont County K9 Unit, and Montgomery County Emergency Management.
