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Man who allegedly hit officers, plumber is detained

‘He assaulted me,’ Rundall claims in court hearing

Donald Rundall III

The man accused of assaulting two police officers and a plumber during an arrest attempt has been ordered held on cash bonds.

Donald Rundall III, 40, of Fort Dodge, is facing multiple charges in connection with the incident.

Rundall made his initial appearance in Webster County Magistrate Court Tuesday morning.

Appearing via a closed-circuit TV monitor, Rundall was in a wheelchair and had a large bandage on his head, indications of injuries he sustained in the struggle with officers.

Magistrate Steve Kersten read the charges and the complaints to Rundall.

When Kersten read the complaint stating that Rundall is accused of assaulting police officers, Rundall spoke up.

“That’s not true,” Rundall said. “He assaulted me.”

Kersten suggested that Rundall not say anything about his case without first speaking with his attorney.

Kersten appointed Charles Kenville, of Fort Dodge, to represent Rundall.

Additionally, Kersten also ordered Rundall held on cash bonds on all of his charges, for a total amount of $18,000.

On Monday, at 10:45 a.m., Fort Dodge police officers spotted Rundall walking in the area of North Ninth Street and Third Avenue North.

Aware that Rundall had outstanding warrants for probation violation, an officer pulled over and approached Rundall.

According to the criminal complaints filed with the Webster County attorney’s office, when Officer Tom Steck informed Rundall that he was going to be arrested, Rundall allegedly started struggling with the officer and punched Steck in the face.

Rundall then allegedly ran from the officer, who caught up to him a block away at Fourth Avenue North and North Ninth Street.

Officer Matt Burns, along with Dan Riley, owner of Dan Riley Plumbing, attempted to restrain Rundall, but he allegedly punched both the officer and Riley.

The complaint stated that Rundall needed to be Tased during the struggle.

Rundall was also injured in the struggle. He was taken to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

Rundall’s charges include the following:

• Two counts of probation violation for unlawful use of a credit card;

• Assault on a peace officer with intent to cause serious injury;

• Assault on a peace officer causing bodily injury;

• Interference with official acts causing bodily injury;

• Possession of methamphetamine, second offense;

• Possession of Codeine, second offense;

• Assault causing injury.

In addition to the charges, Kersten told Rundall he was issuing a no-contact order between him and Riley.

Rundall’s preliminary hearing is Oct. 27.

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