CRIME

ANKENY — Most customers who get the wrong McDonald’s order ask for a replacement, grumble about missing fries or head home hungry. But police say one Iowa man’s frustration over a mistaken order took a terrifying turn Thursday night, November 5, 2026, when he allegedly opened fire through a drive-through window, injuring two employees.

Hassan Ali Mohamed, 25, of Des Moines, is accused of firing shots at workers at the McDonald’s at 2502 SE Delaware Avenue in Ankeny. The incident left one worker wounded in the arm, a second grazed by a bullet and Mohamed facing six felony charges, including two counts of attempted murder.

DES MOINES — A 39-year-old West Des Moines postal employee faces five felony charges after police say she opened fire on coworkers inside the main U.S. Postal Service facility in Iowa’s capital city Thursday morning, November 5, 2026, leaving two women wounded by gunfire and a man injured while fleeing.

Jennifer Christine Pledger was arrested after the shooting at the Des Moines Main Post Office, 1165 Second Avenue, just north of downtown. Police said the shooting occurred in an employee-only area on the second floor.

Investigators allege Pledger shot a female employee, causing her to fall, then stood over the wounded woman and fired again. Police say witnesses reported that shots were also fired toward other employees as they tried to escape.

CHARLES CITY — A Northern Iowa man who received a suspended five-year prison sentence for a felony drug conviction less than three months ago is facing new legal trouble following a drunk-driving arrest in Charles City. A Bremer County judge ordered a public or bench warrant on Thursday, November 5, 2026, amid allegations that he violated probation.

Darris Maurice Carter, 37, of Charles City, was arrested on Sunday, November 1, on suspicion of operating while intoxicated, first offense. Four days later, court records show a $5,000 cash or surety bond was specified in the warrant order, with a probation revocation hearing set for 2 p.m. Friday, November 13.

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Northern Iowa man who downloaded hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after pleading guilty to a federal child pornography charge.

VENTURA — Two people were transported to a Mason City hospital Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after a pickup truck driver allegedly failed to stop at a rural Cerro Gordo County intersection and collided with another vehicle north of Ventura.

MASON CITY — A Sunday morning shopping trip took a bizarre and frightening turn at a Mason City grocery store when a large buck crashed through a window, charged into the store’s dining area and caused a commotion that left a 5-year-old boy injured.

A Northern Iowa man who distributed methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area and possessed four firearms despite a lengthy felony record has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison.

CHARLES CITY — A Halloween afternoon disturbance in Charles City ended with two residents arrested and a third person taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being cited by police.

According to the Charles City Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:14 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2026, to the 1000 block of South Grand Avenue after receiving a report of a disturbance.

CLEAR LAKE — A Clear Lake woman allegedly drove without headlights, struck another vehicle on Highway 18 and left the scene before police caught up with her and arrested her on a felony third-offense OWI charge and six additional counts.

A Northern Iowa student’s bomb-in-backpack text prompted a police response and a student was nabbed in the incident.

Clear Lake and Garner police seek help identifying a person in surveillance video after overnight vehicle break-ins. Residents are asked to check cameras and contact police.

WATERLOO — A second man now faces a first-degree murder charge in the 1995 shooting death of Angela Renee Buck, marking another major development in a Northern Iowa cold case more than 31 years after her body was discovered beside a rural creek.

POCAHONTAS — A 23-year-old Northern Iowa man faces an operating while intoxicated charge following an October 24, 2026, traffic stop in Pocahontas County.

AMES — A 21-year-old Iowa man faces an attempted murder charge and a listed $1 million bond after police say a woman suffered neck injuries in a stabbing on Lincoln Way in Ames on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

MASON CITY — A woman arrested following a reported physical domestic incident in Mason City faces two child endangerment charges and a domestic abuse assault charge, with a judge ordering her held for bond and issuing a no-contact order.