Cops Release Surveillance Photos in Des Moines Store Robbery

Des Moines Police Department(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a male suspect in a robbery at a Des Moines store earlier this month.

The robbery happened on May 3 at the Git-N-Go store, located at 4900 Urbandale Ave. A store clerk told police that a man entered the business and announced a robbery. No weapon was displayed, but the suspect reportedly kept his hand in his pocket as if he was armed. Police say the suspect robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police have released a surveillance photo of the suspect, and are asking that anyone with information on the his identification or whereabouts call the Des Moines Police Detective Bureau at (515) 283-4864 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at 515-223-1400.

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Toddler Drowns in Lake at State Park

(SPRING LAKE STATE PARK, Iowa) -- A 3-year-old boy drowned in Spring Lake State Park on Tuesday, The Des Moines Register reports.

Ransom Cummings had been visiting the beach with his mother and two siblings, after making the trip from their home in Jefferson. The boy had wandered off from his mother, and his family noticed his absence at around 1:15 p.m.

Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and medics were called and a search for the boy began, which ended tragically when his body was found in 5 feet of water by the docks.

According to his mother, the previous summer the water was shallow and he had been able to jump in when it was only waist deep. She thinks that her son must have still thought he could still do that safely.

The 50-acre Spring Lake State Park does not employ lifeguards.

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Paddlers Warned About Near Full Streams, Cold Water

(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- With paddlers getting set to hit the waters across the state this spring, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warns them to beware of cold water and streams being near bank full.

The department says unusual spring weather has resulted in many streams being near bank full, flowing fast and cold.

"Many new paddlers don’t realize that even though the air temperature is warm, the water can still be ice cold," Todd Robertson, a paddling instructor at the DNR said in a statement. "As spring arrives, it takes a while for that water to warm up, making it necessary to have a wetsuit and a change of dry clothes in a dry bag in case you dump your boat."

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Des Moines Police Make Arrest in Pharmacy Robbery

(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- Des Moines Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a robbery at a local pharmacy last month.

On Tuesday, police arrested 35-year-old Gary Lee Loomis, Jr. on a charge of first-degree robbery, stemming from the April 15 robbery.

The robbery occurred at a Walgreens pharmacy, located at 2930 E. University. Police say a knife-wielding suspect entered the pharmacy and demanded medication, specifically hydromorphone. Employees complied and the suspect fled the scene with the stolen drugs.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Police to Hold Unwanted Weapons Turn-In

(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- Des Moines police announced Tuesday that they will be holding a voluntary weapons turn-in event at various locations as part of Police Week.

Officers will accept any unwanted weapons, including firearms and ammunition of any kind, knives and swords.

The turn-ins will be held Friday from 12 to 2 p.m., except at the Urbandale Police Department, which will hold its turn-in event on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. Weapons can be dropped off at police departments across the Des Moines Metro Area, including Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, Johnston, Michellville, Ankeny and Urbandale.

Those wishing to turn-in weapons should bring a valid photo ID, keep the weapon in the luggage area of their vehicle, and alert officers as to whether or not it is loaded.

According to police, the purpose of the turn-in is “to reduce the number of un-wanted firearms and weapons that potentially could be used to commit acts of violence.”

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio