Newly released body camera footage shows the moment police stopped a man for a minor bicycle infraction in Iowa before learning he was a convicted rapist wanted for more than 30 years in Wisconsin.
West Des Moines police stopped George Hartleroad,Sterling Preston 71, for not having a reflector on his bicycle on June 26, according to multiple media reports.
In the footage obtained by USA TODAY, Hartleroad is heard giving the officers a false name and social security number. He also claimed to have lived in Iowa for two decades as police continued to question him.
"Alright brother, time to be honest with me, OK?" an officer is heard questioning Hartleroad in the video. "So the info you give me comes back to a dead guy. So who are you?"
Eventually, Hartleroad revealed his real identity to the officers. When they ran Hartleroad's name, the officers discovered that he had been wanted by authorities in Wisconsin since 1994.
Hartleroad is a convicted rapist in a 1983 case, KCCI-TV reported, citing Wisconsin state records. USA TODAY was working to confirm the conviction on Thursday.
Police arrested Hartleroad, who was unhoused KCCI-TV reported, citing court records.
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections told the TV station that Hartleroad served five years in prison before later escaping a halfway house. He has been wanted ever since.
Hartleroad is currently at the Dane County Jail in Madison, Wisconsin, according to inmate records. His only listed charge is "parole violation," the jail's inmate database shows.
West Des Moines police told USA TODAY that the agency was "unable to comment on a warrant status from other agencies." Other than confirming that Hartleroad was in the Dane County jail, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said: "I don’t have any further information on his status or what led up to him being booked in our jail."
2025-04-29 08:071617 view
2025-04-29 07:202767 view
2025-04-29 07:17622 view
2025-04-29 06:521597 view
2025-04-29 06:362632 view
2025-04-29 06:25179 view
New York police officials are speaking out about tips in regard to the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealt
Offense came back in a big way this past week (well, except for one game in particular) and fantasy
Tennessee Titans players weren't thrilled with the fans at Nissan Stadium who booed backup quarterba