Woman Tells West Des Moines Police Affair Ended, Man and His Family Beat Her Up Anyway

Video surveillance footage from a West Des Moines mall’s security cameras backed up a Des Moines woman’s story that she was assaulted while shopping on the afternoon of Feb. 13.

What the evidence doesn’t show is the reported motive.

The victim, 20, told West Des Moines police that she’d had an affair with one of the suspects, but it had ended. She reportedly was walking along the lower level of Jordan Creek Town Center when she looked up and saw the man, his wife and their 18-year-old daughter watching her from the upper level.

She told police she tried to avoid confrontation. Here’s Officer Ryan Purdy’s account:

“The suspects can be seen going down an elevator and arriving at the bottom as the victim walked by. The male pointed out her and appears to be talking to his wife and daughter. Soon after, the three followed her as she circled the sitting area and tried to walk away from them in the opposite direction.

“At this time, the daughter ran after her, grabbed her and took her to the ground and punches were exchanged. The mom stood over the three and can be seen grabbing at someone. The victim said she thought the mother kicked her in the side while she was on the ground, but video is inconclusive.

“The scuffle was over quickly and the victim is seen running into the store. The daughter initially tried to follow her, but stopped at the entrance and all three left the area.”

At the time of the report, there had been no arrests. The victim sustained minor injuries.