Suspicious Fire, Suspicious Motives: West Des Moines Police Blotter

The manager of a West Des Moines credit union thinks a disgruntled customer may have set fire to a fence the business shares with a nearby restaurant, causing about $600 damage early Monday morning.

The property at 1301 Grand Aven. is leased by Premier Credit Union. Officials there suspect a former customer who, according to West Des Moines Police Officer Matthew Granzow’s report, was denied a loan and “became very belligerent and ended up closing all his accounts.”

The fire burned about 20 feet of fence, most of it on the portion maintained by Maxie’s Restaurant and Lounge.

Also from the police blotter:

Police warned a West Des Moines woman Monday they won’t file criminal charges to boost a lawsuit against a child-care provider who asked her to make other arrangements for the care of her 4-year-old son.

Staff at the childcare center told the woman that her son’s behavior had been a problem and that scratches on his face were a result of an altercation with another child who had defended himself against her son’s aggression. The boy reportedly kicks and spits at teachers, according to Officer Ben Woods’ report.

The woman reportedly filed a police report after local television media refused to air a story of her allegations without it. She thinks the daycare is discriminating against her son because he has special needs, according to the report.

Officer Ben Woods filed an information-only report and wrote that the police department won’t initiate an investigation to help bolster a civil lawsuit.