DAYTON, IOWA – A mentally unstable person allegedly threatened to burn a rural Northern Iowa house down, and cops raced to the scene to prevent a calamity, only to abandon the entire situation hours later with no one in custody.
Webster County Chief Deputy Derek Christie reported that on December 5, 2024, at approximately 4:00 PM, Webster county deputies were dispatched to a residence in Dayton, Iowa, for a male having a mental health crisis who had made threats of starting the residence on fire. A deputy arrived on scene and attempted to contact the male while he was outside, however the male walked away from the deputy and back into the residence.
Deputies contacted family members who stated the male was the only person inside and that he had made no threats to physically harm himself or anyone else. Deputies attempted to make contact at windows and doors of the residence and via PA system but received no response. While securing the perimeter, deputies were able to see movement inside the residence.
After approximately two hours with no response, law enforcement left the scene due to no criminal charges or threats of violence. A mental health referral has been sent to our partners at Central Iowa Community Services (CICS) for follow up with the individual.
There were no threats made to family members and there was no threat to the residents of Dayton, police claim.
The Webster County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Gowrie Police Department, Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State Patrol, Dayton Fire Department and Dayton EMS.