(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department responded to a complaint Monday evening at about 10:10 p.m. that three male subjects in the 100 block of Central Avenue Northwest of Le Mars, were displaying handguns in a threatening manner.
The victim was traveling in a vehicle at that location when was approached in an aggressive manner by the three suspects, who produced handguns as the victim sped away. Le Mars Police Officers responded and observed the subjects matching the
suspect descriptions. Before these subjects could be approached by officers, they entered the residence at 135 1st Avenue northwest in Le Mars. Officers then approached the residence and repeatedly attempted to get these individuals to come to the door without success. Officers also observed what appeared to be an illegal firearm inside the residence. Police officers then set up a perimeter around the residence and a search warrant for the residence was obtained. The joint Special Response Team or known as the SRT team was called to assist with securing the residence before the search warrant would be implemented. Continuous attempts were made to communicate with the suspects inside the residence but were unsuccessful. At approximately 2:15 a.m. this morning, the joint SRT team forced entry to the residence and four suspects were then found and taken into custody. Once the residence was secured, officers
were able to conduct the search warrant. Law enforcement officers recovered six firearms from the residence including two semi-automatic “assault” rifles, a short-barreled shotgun, two semi-automatic pistols, a revolver and various
rounds of ammunition. Two of the firearms were later confirmed as stolen from locations outside Plymouth County. A few items of drug paraphernalia were also seized.
The suspects taken into custody at the residence and their charges include: 21- year old Victor Guadalupe Villareal of 135 1st Avenue Northwest of Le Mars. He was charged with possession of an offensive weapon, a class D felony, and two
counts of possession of stolen firearms another class D felony. The other three suspects are all juvenile males ages 16, 15, and 14 and all showing Sioux City
addresses. All three juveniles were charged with: aggravated assault, possession of an offensive weapon, two counts of possession of stolen firearms, and providing police officers with false information. The 15 year old was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. The 16 year old and the 15 year old were already listed in the nationwide computer system as missing persons.
The Le Mars Police Department was assisted by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Le Mars Ambulance Service and the Le Mars Fire Department. The Le Mars Police Department continues to investigate the incident.
