Fayette County authorities have filed charges against 6 area people, allegedly involved in a theft ring, that targeted a West Union resident.

After a week-long investigation, the Fayette County Sheriff found that at least 6 people had taken advantage of a local resident, by posing as caretakers and home repair workers over the last 2 months.

Thousands of dollars was taken from the victim's account. More than 35 checks from the victim's bank account were written to the suspects under false pretenses and deception.

Arrest warrants were issued for the 6 suspects. They were identified as:

24 year old Chelsea Leann Rasmussen and 29 year old Charles Fels, both of West Union, charged with Theft in the 3rd degree; they are accused of taking over $500.

30 year old Michael Walters of Manchester, 25 year old Darcy Miner of Jesup, and 30 year old Ashley White of Hawkeye, are charged with Theft in the 2nd Degree, for allegedly taking $4,000 to $5,000;

46 year old Patsy Martin of West Union, charged with Theft in the 1st Degree for stealing over $18,000.

4 of the suspects, Rasmussen, Fels, White, and Martin were taken into custody and held on a $10,000.00 bond.

Martin led authorities on a short chase and manhunt, when she was seen running into a corn field near Fayette. She was located by the sheriff's use of the department's drone and K-9 (Watch Video Below).

Miners and Walters are still at-large.

Authorities were able to recover over $6,000 in cash.

The investigation continues, and more arrests are expected.

Sheriff Marty Fisher also notes that if anyone has paid for services from any of the suspects, to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at 563-422-6067.


Click on the video to watch drone footage of deputies getting a scent of suspect Patsy Martin, who Fayette County sheriff's deputies said ran from them during a felony warrant arrest attempt. Martin was taken into custody later Tuesday evening (Aug. 15, 2017).

Video Courtesy of Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher via Facebook

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