Keokuk melee results in eight arrests

KEOKUK – A fight that broke out near Rand Park in Keokuk on Friday has resulted in eight men and women being taken to Lee County Jail.
According to information from the Keokuk Police Department, officers were dispatched to 15th Street and Orleans Avenue at just after 11 a.m. Friday morning.
Keokuk officers arrived on scene at approximately 11:09 a.m. to discover a large group of people fighting, a two-vehicle collision, and a male subject who had purportedly been struck by a vehicle. Once the fight was dispersed, Officers began interviewing involved parties, taking photos, and collecting evidence.
The Keokuk Fire Department and the Lee County Ambulance Service would arrive on scene at approximately 11:11 a.m. and begin providing aid to the individual that was struck. That subject would be transported to the Keokuk Municipal Airport where they would then be taken via helicopter to a medical facility with serious injuries.
During the investigation, Sean McCarty, 23, of Keokuk, was arrested for Interference With Official Acts, a simple misdemeanor.
Through the investigation, it was determined that Robert Howes willfully struck an individual with a vehicle he was operating, causing that subject serious injury. Howes, 18, of Keokuk, was arrested for Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, a Class C felony.
Officers determined that the incident was connected to an earlier investigation into an assault which occurred on earlier in the day Friday at approximately 10:12 a.m. near Brookshire Drive and Messenger Road. That investigation resulted in the arrest of Skylar West, 23, of Keokuk. West was charged with Burglary In The 1st Degree, a class B felony.
Keokuk Police Chief Zeth Baum said additional arrests were made on Saturday as the investigation unfolded. 
Christina Cook, 45, of Keokuk, was arrested for Unlawful Assembly, an aggravated misdemeanor, Disorderly Conduct, a simple misdemeanor, and Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a serious misdemeanor.
Kayla Castellow, 20, of Mt. Pleasant, was arrested for Unlawful Assembly, an aggravated misdemeanor, Disorderly Conduct, a simple misdemeanor, and Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a serious misdemeanor.
Grace Cook, 20, of Keokuk, was arrested for Unlawful Assembly, an aggravated misdemeanor, Disorderly Conduct, a simple misdemeanor, and Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a serious misdemeanor.
Cecil Austin, 42, of Keokuk, was arrested for Unlawful Assembly, an aggravated misdemeanor, Disorderly Conduct, a simple misdemeanor, and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Aaron Cook, 22, of Keokuk, was arrested for Unlawful Assembly, an aggravated misdemeanor and Disorderly Conduct, a simple misdemeanor.
All of those arrested were transported to the Lee County Jail to await an initial appearance before a judge.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation supported by probable cause and all parties are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Keokuk Fire Department, LeeComm Dispatch Center, Montrose Police Department, Lee County Narcotics Task Force, and the Lee County Ambulance Service provided valuable assistance during this event.
“We encourage the public to contact our police department with any additional information regarding this event,” said Keokuk Police Chief Zeth Baum.
“The community plays a large role in helping our department suppress crime and keep our community safe.”
You can reach KPD through social media (Facebook Messenger), the LeeComm dispatch center (319-372-1310), Lee County Crime Stoppers, calling the department directly (319-524-2741), or coming to the police department in person (1222 Johnson Street, Keokuk).
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