On 3/4/2016 at 4:32 a.m., the Emmetsburg Police Department received information regarding a possible vehicle accident and passed the information to the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office. The Palo Alto Sheriff’s Office, along with the Emmetsburg Police Department, conducted a search of the roadways east and southeast of Emmetsburg and at 5:03 a.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office made contact with a subject in the 4800 block of 380th Street. This subject, Pablo Jose Hallenbeck, was said to be the operator of the vehicle involved in the accident. During the investigation, Hallenbeck, age 59 of Emmetsburg, was transported to the Palo Alto County Jail. As a result of the investigation, Hallenbeck was charged with Operating while Intoxicated (OWI-1st Offense) a serious misdemeanor, Public Intoxication and Failure to have a valid license. Hallenbeck was booked into the Palo Alto County Jail and held until his initial appearance before a magistrate judge.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle in question at 3756 490th Avenue. The 05 Buick Lacrosse, owned by Shari Lynn Pettit of Emmetsburg, ignited in the incident and had been totally consumed by fire. The vehicle was a total loss.