A week-long investigation into car thefts and stolen vehicles, which were recovered in the area, ended this morning. On August 10, 2023, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a suspicious person on 190th street, south of West Union. This is the same area that days prior, the Sheriff’s office recovered a stolen vehicle out of Winneshiek County. Upon arrival, Deputies searched the area and located another stolen vehicle out of Allamakee County. This vehicle was found on 180th street, just a mile from the suspicious person report. A search for the suspect was conducted, however he was not located. The suspect’s photograph was obtained from the West Union Police Department. The suspect has been under investigation for a stolen vehicle from West Union.
On August 11th at 8:45 A.M., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report from staff at Inspiring Lives reporting a suspicious person. Inspiring Lives is located on 190th street, just miles from the previous day’s suspicious person report. Upon Deputy’s arrival, the suspect had fled into a corn field. The Sheriff’s office then learned the suspects name was Ronnie Leroy Snyder, age 57 from Winnebago MN. The Sheriff’s Office learned that Snyder had a federal warrant for his arrest for Federal Parole Violation and a warrant for his arrest out of Winneshiek County for burglary. At 11:30 AM, Snyder was found hiding in a corn field in the area and was taken into custody without incident. Snyder was transported to the Fayette County Jail and then taken into custody by Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office on their warrants. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the US Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force, Iowa State Patrol, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette Police Department, West Union Police Department, and Fayette County Conservation. Also assisting was the Decorah Fire Department providing their drone and the Iowa State Patrol assisted with their aircraft. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and West Union Police Department will complete their investigations and file charges at a later time.