Police Blotter
Newton Police Department
• Denise E. Butler, 42, of Newton was charged Wednesday with fifth-degree theft in connection with an incident reported Sept. 5 by a Newton resident. Butler was charged for allegedly writing a check for $72 on a bank account with insufficient funds to cover the amount to the victim during a Pampered Chef party on June 6. The victim stated she had contacted Butler but was unable to acquire the funds to cover the check for the items purchased. Butler was charged with theft and released on her own recognizance.
• Kenneth L. Carmer, 50, of Laurel was arrested Monday and charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped him at 10:50 p.m. in the 400 block of First Avenue West for an equipment violation and determined his license had been suspended. Carmer was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Raymundo S. Cordero, 23, of Newton was arrested on a warrant out of DeKalkb, Ill., for failure to appear in court on a marijuana charge after authorities stopped his vehicle at 11:41 p.m. Oct. 23 in the 400 block of First Avenue West for a traffic violation and determined Cordero was wanted on the warrant. He also was cited for failure to have a valid driver’s license and was transported to the Jasper County Jail. A passenger in the vehicle, Yimy N. Urbina-Garcia, 21, of Ames, was arrested on a warrant issued by the Ames Police Department for disorderly conduct and also was transported to the jail.
• Jennifer B. Crowe, 38, of Newton was charged with identity theft in connection with an incident reported Oct. 9. Crowe was charged for allegedly identifying herself by another person’s name when hiring workers by phone on July 24 to complete projects, which cost $2,591.73, on two properties. Crowe was charged Wednesday in connection with the incident and released on her own recognizance.
• Paul M. Davis, 31, of Newton was charged with two counts of endangerment after Newton police received a report on Oct. 21 from the Iowa Department of Human Services of possible child endangerment. Davis was charged for allegedly spanking two of his children multiple times, causing one to fall and hit his head on a chair and resulting in bruising to his buttocks that was visible two days after the incident, which occurred at approximately 8 p.m. Oct. 18. Davis was arrested on Oct. 22 and transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Carol L. Hawkins, 81, of Newton was cited with failure to obey a traffic control device after traveling east at 4:25 p.m. Oct. 24 on First Avenue East, entering the intersection at East Fourth Street North and colliding with a southbound vehicle driven by Elizabeth A. Petersen, 42, of Newton, who had the green light. No one was injured. Damagewas estimated at $2,500 to Peterson’s vehicle and $700 to Hawkins’ vehicle.
• Tyler Lakin, 18, of Newton was charged with third-degree criminal mischief and three counts of third-degree burglary in connection with incidents reported in August, September and October. Lakin was charged for allegedly stealing multiple items from Back in the Day on Aug. 23; for allegedly breaking into an unoccupied Jeep at 1030 W. Ninth St. S. on Sept. 2 by cutting the cloth top, causing $800 in damage, and allegedly stealing $400 in items from the Jeep, including an electric meter, a carton of cigarettes and work tools; and for allegedly breaking into a unoccupied vehicle at 205 E. 13th St. N. on Oct. 5 and stealing an MP3 player. Lakin was charged at the Jasper County Jail, where he was being held on other charges in other incidents.
• Andrew C. Martin, 32, of Pella was charged with third-degree burglary following an investigation of a theft reported Oct. 17 at Body Art Inc. at 314 S. Second Ave. E. in Newton. The owner reported several items had been stolen and provided authorities with surveillance video showing an employee, identified as Martin, entering the store during closed hours and taking several tatoo items, with a total value of $1,950, from the business. Martin was charged Thursday and released on his own recognizance.
• Brian T. Naaden, 50, of Pella was cited with unsafe backing on highway after attempting to back out of a parking space at 1:51 p.m. Oct. 23 in the 100 block of North Second Avenue West and striking a westbound vehicle driven by William S. Peck, 42, of Kellogg, who had the right of way. No one was injured. Damage was estimated at $1,000 to Peck’s vehicle and $2,000 to Naaden’s vehicle.
• Nyanza O’Harra, 18, of Newton was charged Oct. 27 with operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent following an investigation of a hit-and-run accident reported at 7:07 p.m. Sept. 18. O’Harra was charged for allegedly hitting a vehicle in the Skiff Medical Center parking lot while driving a vehicle she did not have permission to be driving. She was charged and released on her own recognizance.
• April A. Wilcox, 30, of Newton was arrested Monday and charged with driving while license suspended after an officer stopped her at noon in the 400 block of West Fourth Street South after recognizing her as driving with a suspended license. She also was cited with failure to have insurance and was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Two students at Berg Middle School, including a 14-year-old Newton male and a 12-year-old Newton male, were charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly fighting with each other at approximately 1:15 p.m. Oct. 16 in a school hallway. Both were referred to Juvenile Court Services.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
