Iowa deputies find female suspect hiding in an oven

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa, April 8 (UPI) -- Authorities in Iowa said a woman wanted for a probation violation was found inside her home -- hiding in a modified oven.

The Guthrie County Sheriff's Office said deputies executed a search warrant March 31 at the Guthrie Center home of Gabrielle Looper, 25, who was wanted on an arrest warrant for a probation violation.

Investigators said Looper initially appeared to not be at home, but their suspicions were raised when they noticed the home had two ovens.

Looper was found hiding in a non-functioning oven that had its bottom cut out in an apparent attempt to turn it into a hiding place.

"I've never seen anything like it," Deputy Kent Gries told KWQC-TV. "Yes, she fit all the way in the oven."

Gries said the oven was not connected to a power source.

"Its sole purpose was to hide people when law enforcement came," Gries said. "It's not uncommon for people to go to extreme lengths to avoid apprehension or to hide contraband."

Deputies said a man named Joseph Crawford was also arrested during the search on a charge of interference with official acts.