A Burlington man was arrested after police say he sent threatening messages to City Manager Chad Bird.
63-year-old Raymond Sourwine was taken into custody April 7 by the Burlington Police Department and charged with second-degree harassment. According to a criminal complaint, Sourwine left a lengthy, threatening voicemail on Bird’s personal phone, warning him he had “put a target around (his) own neck” and suggesting potential violence if his demands were not met. Investigators said Sourwine had previously been warned in February to stop contacting Bird after sending earlier threatening communications.
Police later made contact with Sourwine at his home, where he allegedly made additional concerning statements. A no-contact order was issued to protect Bird, but Sourwine was arrested again the following day for violating that order after sending additional text messages. He admitted to sending the messages but claimed he did not know who the number belonged to. Sourwine is currently being held at the Des Moines County Jail on a $1,000 cash-only bond.
