Creston Police: Motorcycle leads police on pursuit at over 110 mph

Charles R. Balius, 54, of Creston, was taken into custody 1:41 p.m. April 12, in the 600 block of West Taylor Street on the charge of driving while barred.

According to a Creston Police report, Balius, who is known to have a barred license, was observed driving a 2006 Buick LaCrosse with a broken taillight at Highway 34 and Abell Street. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, confirmed to be Balius. After running his information, his license status was verified to be barred. Balius is also required to have SR-22 insurance and an interlock device installed on any vehicle he operates, which he did not have.

Balius was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $2,000 cash or surety bond.

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Travis J. Klos, 40, of Afton, was taken into custody 12:35 a.m. April 13, at Beechwood Avenue and 260th Street on the charges of eluding - speed of 25 mph over limit, persons ineligible to carry dangerous weapons, possession of a controlled substance - marijuana, first offense and driving while barred.

According to a Creston Police report, police attempted to stop a 2004 Harley Davidson Dyna Low Rider on Taylor Street. The driver, later identified as Klos, did not stop and attempted to elude officers, resulting in a pursuit that lasted for more than 10 miles. Klos reached speeds of 110 mph before wrecking the Harley on 260th Street. Klos was determined to have a barred driver’s license and was in possession of a THC vape pen and a loaded .38 Special handgun. It is illegal to possess a dangerous weapon while also possessing drugs.

Klos was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after positing $9,000 cash or surety bond.

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Eulicer Morales Escalona, 41, of Orient, was taken into custody 3:21 a.m. April 13, at Montgomery Street and Sumner Avenue on the charge of OWI, first offense.

According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 2:52 a.m. a 2007 Honda Fit was observed westbound on Adams Street with no headlights. The Honda turned north onto Sumner Avenue and a traffic stop was conducted. Instead of pulling over, the Honda stopped in the middle of the street.

Contact was made with the driver, identified as Morales Escalona, who told officers the Honda was a friend’s and he did not know how to turn on the lights. An open beer can was observed in the cupholder of the vehicle. Morales Escalona admitted to drinking three alcoholic beverages and had bloodshot, watery eyes and a strong odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage on his breath. He consented to field sobriety testing and showed numerous clues of impairment. He refused consent for a PBT.

Morales Escalona was transported to the Union County Law Enforcement Center where he consented to provide a breath specimen for chemical testing. The result indicated his BAC to be .147%.

He was released from the Union County Jail after posting $1,000 cash or surety bond.

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Juliann M. Edsall, 45, of Creston, was taken into custody 3:32 p.m. April 13, in the 600 block of North Oak Street on a Union County warrant charging her with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense.

According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 1:02 a.m. March 20, a 2013 Ford Edge was stopped at Montgomery and Howard streets. Edsall is known to drive the Edge and had an outstanding arrest warrant. After being advised of her rights, Edsall admitted to there being methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the Ford.

A probable-cause search was conducted. Located in the vehicle were methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphernalia. Edsall has prior convictions for drug possession.

Edsall was transported to the Adams County Jail and held on $10,000 cash or surety bond.

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Loren L. Edsall, 77, of Creston, was taken into custody 3:45 p.m. April 13, at his residence on a Union County warrant for the charges of theft, first degree and financial exploitation of an older individual (70-80 years old) - $15,000 or over.

According to a Creston Police report, on Feb. 7 a Decorah woman reported that her stepfather had been the victim of a scam involving Edsall. During an investigation it was discovered Edsall had mailed the victim a letter informing the victim he had won a Mega Millions Sweepstakes prize. The victim subsequently mailed Edsall personal checks for $5,500, $6,500, $7,500 $30,000 and $35,000 while being made to believe he would receive the winnings.

On Feb. 10 Edsall admitted to officers he had deposited two checks from the victim totaling $13,000. Stop payments were issued on the other checks prior to Edsall was able to access the funds to send off. Edsall was instructed to send the $13,000 back to the victim.

On March 3, the victim’s step-daughter advised police her stepfather had never received the money. Contact was made with Edsall March 5, at which time he told officers he had sent the money to the individuals running the scam instead of back to the victim.

Edsall was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $25,000 cash or surety bond.

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Jaxson A. Welcher, 24, of Mount Ayr, was taken into custody 8:34 p.m. April 13, on Maple Street on the charges of interference with official acts, disorderly conduct and OWI, first offense.

According to a Creston Police report, there were multiple reports of a 2013 Dodge Caravan driving recklessly through Creston. The vehicle and driver, identified as Welcher, were located on Maple Street. Welcher admitted to driving the van and also to drinking. He was observed to have bloodshot, watery eyes, a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person and impaired balance. Witnesses provided statements that Welcher had taken numerous alcoholic shots before getting into the van and driving.

Welcher refused all field sobriety testing and was very combative toward officers, resisted arrest and was non-compliant the entire time. Welcher screamed repeatedly at officers and kicked the patrol car door.

Welcher was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $1,600 cash or surety bond.