On Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 12:44am, the Marshalltown Police Department received a report about an altercation that took place outside of the Center Street Station bar located at 19 North Center Street. This altercation reportedly involved a man being threatened with a firearm. Officers responded to the Center Street Station and located a person they believed to have been involved. As officers were questioning this person outside of the bar, the suspect fled the scene on foot. Officers subsequently caught up to the suspect in the 10 block of North 1st Avenue. They saw that the suspect had produced a handgun. Officers ordered the suspect to drop the gun. The suspect did not immediately obey these lawful commands but did eventually drop the gun. The suspect was then into custody. Nobody was injured during this investigation. A .40 caliber handgun and ammunition were seized.
With the help of a Marshall County Crime Stoppers video camera located in the area of the Center Street Station, officers were able to use video of the original altercation to assist with this investigation. Witnesses and potential victims who had been on scene, and had information about what happened, were uncooperative with police. The video footage played a vital role in solving this crime.
Chief Michael Tupper stated, “As we see victims and witnesses increasingly being unwilling to cooperate with police when a violent crime occurs, the use of camera technology becomes a critical resource in our efforts to keep the community safe and remove violent offenders from the streets. We are thankful nobody was injured during this event. I applaud the officers for their courage and the professionalism they displayed while apprehending an armed criminal.”
The Marshalltown Police Department arrested Bernard Arlo Brooks, age 29, of Des Moines. Mr. Brooks has been charged with:
- Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon
- Harassment in the second degree
- Interference with official acts while displaying a firearm
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
Mr. Brooks also had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Polk County. Mr. Brooks was booked into the Marshall County Jail.
This investigation is on-going. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Marshalltown Police Department at 641.754.5729. Tips may also be submitted anonymously by calling Marshall County Crime Stoppers at 641.753.1234 or via text by texting the word “marshall” followed by the tip to CRIMES (274637). Additionally, tips may be submitted online at www.marshallcountycs.com.
The Marshalltown Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Marshall County 911 Communications Center.
(A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)
For more information, please contact Police Chief Michael Tupper by calling 641.754.5771 or via email at mtupper@marshalltown-ia.gov.