WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) - A fugitive who was wanted for three decades out of Wisconsin was arrested last month in Iowa.

George Hartleroad was stopped by police for not having a rear reflector on his bicycle.

The man first gave police a fake name before eventually revealing his real identity.

The moment West Des Moines police first encountered Hartleroad on June 26 was caught on newly released body camera video.

The officer can be seen growing increasingly confused as he runs a fake name and social security number several times.

Hartleroad told police he was homeless and had been living in Iowa since 1991, but the officer repeatedly questioned why he was not able to verify his identity.

The officer lets him go, but then found Hartleroad again 30 minutes later. He told him to remove his hat and glasses so he can get a picture for facial recognition.

“I don’t want to arrest you for the stopping without a rear reflector because, like I told you, I stop people to let them know because I don’t want it to be your fault when you get hit, but if I can’t verify who you are and the info you did give me comes back to nobody,” the officer told Hartleroad. “In fact, it comes back to other people. That’s a bigger issue.”

The officer did not let up, questioning if Hartleroad had any warrants.

“Time to be honest with me, OK? So, the info you gave me comes back to a dead guy. Gregory Stallins is dead,” the officer told Hartleroad.

It turned out, Hartleroad had warrants out of Wisconsin.

State records from Wisconsin show he is a convicted rapist who escaped from a halfway house in 1995.

Another officer arrived on scene and Hartleroad eventually gave his real name.

Police seemed astonished by this discovery.

“What’s crazy is that 1990, that means you’ve been on the run longer than two of the three officers here on the street have been alive,” the officer added.

Hartleroad was taken into custody with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

PARIS (AP) — Paris prosecutors said Friday that police have opened a hate speech investigation following a complaint by Olympics opening ceremony artistic director Thomas Jolly over death threats.

The Paris prosecutors’ office said in a statement that Jolly filed a police complaint on Tuesday, four days after the opening ceremony, for death threats, “public insults” and “defamation.”

Jolly said he has been “the target of threatening messages and insults on social networks criticizing his sexual orientation and his wrongly-assumed Israeli roots,” the statement said. France’s Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity and Hate Crimes has been charged with the investigation.

Jolly’s complaint comes after the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony prompted a storm of outrage, including angry comments from Donald Trump, in the wake of a contentious scene featuring drag queens and other performers. Although Jolly has repeatedly said that he wasn’t inspired by “The Last Supper,” critics interpreted part of the show as a mockery of Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting showing Jesus Christ and his apostles.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo expressed “unwavering support” of Jolly in the face of the threats and harassment.

With his opening ceremony, “Jolly held our values high,” Hidalgo said in a statement Friday. “It was a pride and an honor for Paris to be able to count on his talent to magnify our city and tell the world who we are.”

Hidalgo added: “Paris will always be on the side of artists, of creation and therefore, on the side of freedom.”

Barbara Butch, a popular DJ and LGBTQ+ icon who performed in the show, also said she suffered a torrent of online threats. Butch has filed a complaint alleging online abuse and harassment, which police are also investigating.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - From January to July 30, the City of Laredo responded to 80 attempted suicide calls. While the number of completed suicides has decreased this year, efforts to address the issue continue.

As of July 30, 12 suicides have occurred in Laredo. Julie Bazan, chair of the Suicide Prevention Committee, highlighted the importance of seeking help. “That is the most difficult thing to do for any of us to accept that we are weak in certain areas because nobody wants to be seen as a weak person. But, on the contrary, when somebody says, ‘I need help,’ that’s a sign of courage,” Bazan said.

Bazan noted that the committee was formed to address rising suicide rates in the city. Dr. Richard Chamberlain, director of the Laredo Public Health Department, observed a steady decline in suicides. “Statistically, we observed an increase in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2023, the numbers tapered down, and right now we are still seeing that low,” Chamberlain said.

Data from the committee shows 17 suicide deaths in 2023 and 18 in 2022. Despite the decrease, Chamberlain emphasizes that “one suicide attempt is still one too many.”

Looking ahead, the committee plans to implement new initiatives, including a QR code linking to crisis hotline services and a local awareness proclamation in September. Bazan shared a recent success story involving a parent seeking help for someone in crisis. “Her friend is having suicidal thoughts, and we don’t know how to help her. What my response to her was that the best thing she could do was call 988. A few days later, she called me back to thank me because they guided her, and she was able to provide that support for the young lady. So, that in itself tells you: Is this really successful? Yes, it is,” Bazan said.

The committee also plans to add signs in local businesses and gas stations to increase awareness of the 988 crisis line. More details on the upcoming awareness campaign will be released soon.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Laredo Police Department reported an accident with injuries at the Jacaman Road and Loop 20 intersection around 2 p.m. Thursday, August 1.

The southbound turning lane at the intersection will be closed. Drivers should avoid the area and use alternate routes.

More details on the accident and the condition of those injured are not yet available.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Laredo paused for about an hour on Thursday as the city’s first-ever Olympian, Jennifer “La Traviesa” Lozano, made her debut at the 2024 Games in Paris.

The 21-year-old flyweight boxer began her match at 9 a.m. local time, representing Team USA against Finland’s Pihla Kaivo-oja in the women’s flyweight division. Lozano, competing in the round of 16, lost to Kaivo-oja by unanimous decision.

KGNS Sports Director Ryan Bailey and KGNS Sports Anchor Rodrigo Mendoza analyze the fight in the video below.

Despite her loss, Lozano’s family and friends were there to offer support as she exited the stadium in tears.

The Laredo community, however, remained steadfast in their pride for Lozano. Local watch parties, including those organized by Boxing Pride Fitness, the Laredo Fire Department, Texas A&M International University, and Laredo College, showed strong support for the athlete.

The United Independent School District expressed their pride, saying, “Jennifer, your hard work and dedication are an inspiration to our students and the entire community. We’re cheering you on and proud to see you shine on the world stage! You make us so proud!”

Boxing Pride Fitness, where Lozano trains, hosted a packed watch party with Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Treviño and several city officials in attendance. The Laredo Fire Department also held a gathering to cheer on Lozano.

The community’s support extended to social media, where people shared their encouragement and celebrated Lozano’s journey to the Olympics.

While Lozano’s fight did not end as hoped, her accomplishment in reaching the Olympic stage is a source of great pride for her hometown.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued an urgent health advisory following a critical case of mercury poisoning linked to a skin cream from Mexico.

The incident involves a skin cream called ‘Nunn,’ purchased in Mexico, which was found to contain dangerously high levels of mercury. The cream, intended for skin lightening, did not list mercury as an ingredient, but laboratory tests revealed the presence of this toxic substance.

Jaime Perez from the Laredo Health Department says the city has recommendations for those who shop for skincare products sold by individuals, in small markets, swap meets, or on the internet.

Perez says, “That’s why we want to bring a little awareness to the community, to make sure where they buy their things to read the labels behind, make sure that they’re FDA approved and make sure that our community is safe.”

This case highlights the potential dangers of third-party beauty items. The city has shared symptoms to be aware of if you suspect your cream contains mercury, including numbness or tingling in hands, feet, and lips.

General symptoms include:

• Shaking, tremors, impaired balance or coordination

• Headaches, hypertension, depression, insomnia

• Weight loss, fatigue, nervousness, irritability, anxiety

• Memory loss, difficulty concentrating

• Numbness or tingling in hands, feet, and lips

In children, prolonged mercury exposure may present as:

• Excessive salivation or thirst, gingivitis (gum inflammation)

• Irritability, anorexia, poor muscle tone, leg cramps

• Hypertension, rash, peeling or flaking skin

• Pink extremities (e.g., hands and feet)

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A tractor-trailer became stuck in the Three Points area of Laredo on Wednesday, July 31, around 11:30 a.m. The vehicle was blocked on the highway where Zapata Highway turns into Highway 359, heading eastbound.

A police officer said the plan is to back up the tractor-trailer so it can be rerouted. In the meantime, the road is closed. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Customs and Border Protection officers stopped nearly $1 million worth of marijuana from reaching the streets at the World Trade Bridge on Monday, July 29.

Officers inspected a tractor-trailer carrying auto parts and found 16 packages with more than 370 pounds of marijuana hidden inside. The drugs are valued at about $836,000. The investigation is ongoing.