On November 24, 2019, at 2:48 a.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a 2012 Nissan Versa being operated by Matthew Ruyter (32) of Graettinger, IA. for running a stop sign located at South Elder Avenue and Robins Street in Graettinger. During the investigation it was determined Ruyter was intoxicated. Ruyter was transported to the Palo alto County Sheriff’s Office and would be placed under arrest for operating while intoxicated 1st Offense, a serious misdemeanor, and failure to obey stop sign, a simple misdemeanor. Ruyter was held in the Palo Alto County Jail where he awaits an initial appearance in front of a judge.
Assisting the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.