Moline man jailed after sending hostages for beer

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By Dustin Lemmon | Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:17 AM CDT | () comments

Jason Slagel (Contributed photo)

UPDATED: Just a few hours after an unrelated court appearance Tuesday in Rock Island, a Moline man took five people hostage in a Fort Madison, Iowa, motel and was arrested after he sent two hostages on a beer run, police say.

Police said 33-year-old Jason Slagel, is charged with five counts of false imprisonment and going armed with intent in Lee County. Slagel allegedly pulled a knife during an argument Tuesday night with another man and told the people in the room that they wouldn’t be allowed to leave.

According to police, Slagel got thirsty and sent two of his hostages out for beer. After the hostages left, they called police, and Slagel was arrested without incident.

One man was cut and Slagel had a cut on his hand, but police said the injuries weren’t serious.

Before going to Fort Madison, Slagel attended a preliminary hearing in Rock Island County Circuit Court on Tuesday for a felony possession of a controlled substance charge and pleaded innocent. He had his trial set for Oct. 27.

Moline police Lt. Jerome Patrick said Slagel was arrested at 11 p.m. Aug. 6 after officers were called to a disturbance at Rascals, 1414 15th St., allegedly involving Slagel.

As Slagel was leaving, officers performed a traffic stop and cited him for failing to signal, illegal transportation of alcohol and driving while revoked. He also was allegedly found with less than 15 grams of cocaine, court records state.

Slagel posted bond and was again stopped by Moline police about 10:30 p.m. Saturday for driving while revoked and having a loud muffler on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, Patrick said.

Prior to his recent run-ins with police, Slagel was convicted of felony damage to property and criminal trespass after two home invasion counts were dismissed. The charges stemmed from a April 2004 incident at a Milan residence where he was accused of hitting a woman in the face.

He received 16 days in jail and conditional discharge.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com.

EARLIER STORY: FORT MADISON, Iowa — An Illinois man who police say held five people hostage in a Fort Madison motel was arrested after he sent two of his hostages on a beer run.

   Police say 33-year-old Jason Slagel, of Moline, is charged with five counts of false imprisonment and going armed with intent. They say Slagel pulled a knife during an argument Tuesday night with another man and told the people in the room that they wouldn't be allowed to leave.

   One man was cut and Slagel had a cut on his hand, but police say the injuries weren't serious.

   Police say that after awhile, Slagel got thirsty and sent two of his hostages out for beer.

   After they left they called police and Slagel was arrested without incident.