The owner of a bowling alley in Cresco has been brought back to Iowa after being arrested in Blaine, Minnesota. Authorities say 39-year-old Melvin Bouwma has been charged with four counts of indecent contact with a child, three counts of supplying alcohol to minors, one count of selling or dispensing alcoholic beverages after hours, and one count of permitting criminal activity on the premises.
Cresco police say they began investigating Bouwma last month after he allegedly fondled 11 and 13-year-old girls in the groin and chest areas and gave them alcohol. Police continue to investigate a possible third victim, a 12-year-old girl.
Bouwma is being held in the Howard County Jail on $20,000 bond.
By Darin Svenson, KDEC, Decorah