On Thursday, October 5th, 2017, at 10:12 am, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office received a complaint reference to a stolen vehicle, stolen debit card, and stolen cash from 4743 400th Street, Emmetsburg. The stolen motor vehicle was later recovered in Forest City, Iowa on October 5th.
Following an investigation into the complaint, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office arrested Gabriel Cowden (19), of Emmetsburg. Cowden was charged with theft 2nd degree = calss D felony, theft 4th degree = serious misdemeanor, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license = simple misdemeanor. Cowden was transported to the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office, without incident, and booked in to await his initial appearance before a magistrate. The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office was assisted in the investigation by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, and the Forest City Police Department.