Newton Police Department
• Deborah A. Brown, 56, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control following a one-vehicle accident at 2:06 p.m. Sunday in the 1800 block of East 31st Street North. Brown was traveling north when she hit loose gravel on the shoulder, causing her to lose control of her vehicle, which went off the road into a ditch and flipped onto the passenger side. She was transported to Skiff Medical Center with injuries, but no additional information on her condition was released. Her Dodge pickup sustained an estimated $4,000 damage.
• Aaron L. Chirch, 32, of Prairie City was charged with violation of a no contact order, and Jessica M. Arndt, 24, of Prairie City was charged with aiding and abetting the violation of a no contact order after authorities stopped them at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 700 block of First Avenue West for a seatbelt violation. Police determined Arndt had a protective order against Chirch. He also was cited with failure to wear a seatbelt and was taken to the Jasper County Jail. Arndt was released to appear in court.
• Ryan C. Hicks, 19, of Colfax was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a shoplifting complaint at 3:26 p.m. Tuesday at Walmart. Hicks was charged for allegedly concealing two bottles of perfume. He was released to appear in court.
• Nikki R. Oartwieg, 36, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated after authorities observed her vehicle in the Family Video parking lot at 1:16 a.m. Friday with the car lights turning on and off and the engine running. During an investigation, police observed she smelled of alcohol and failed sobriety tests. Her blood alcohol content was .158, and she was charged with OWI and released to appear in court.
• Roy E. Spangenburg, 37, of Newton was arrested on a Marion County warrant for non-payment of child support at 11:08 p.m. Wednesday after police observed him walking in 800 block of First Street North. He was transported to Monroe and turned over to Marion County authorities.
• Paula M. Thomas, 40, of Newton was charged with public intoxication after authorities responded to a complaint at 1:55 a.m. Thursday of a person banging on a door and causing commotion at 1219 S. Fourth Ave. E. Thomas smelled of alcohol and failed sobriety tests but refused chemical testing. She was released to appear in court.
• William H. Whitley, 41, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended and given a warning for not having license plates after authorities stopped him at 6:36 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of First Street North. He was released to appear in court.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. It is the policy of the Newton Daily News to release the names of individuals charged with a crime who are 16 and older.