March 29, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Ross R. Wadzinski, 25, of Newton was charged with third-degree burglary for entering a residence in the 600 block of East 10th Street South at 1:17 a.m. Monday after being told to stay off the property. The victim told police Wadzinski entered the house, assaulted him and left before officers arrived at the scene. Police were able to track his footprints in the snow and found him hiding underneath a pickup truck in the 600 block of East Eighth Street South. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Two Newton 15-year-old girls were charged with fifth-degree theft at after employees at Walmart allegedly observed them concealing $25.54 worth of merchandise at 4:10 p.m. Monday. The case was turned over to the juvenile court authorities.

Jasper County Sheriff’s Office

• Kaleb C. Heard, 20, of Newton was charged with .02 violation, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after officers stopped him for a traffic violation in the 4400 block of South 22nd Avenue East at 1:35 a.m. Sunday. During the traffic stop, Heard failed a sobriety test and admitted to drinking. His blood-alcohol content was more than .02 percent, but under .08 percent. Officers also found a small baggie of marijuana and a glass pipe with burnt residue. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Five people were arrested in connection to a party by the Oswalt Bridge at 12:48 a.m. Saturday. Matthew A. Anderson, 21, of Newton was charged for selling, giving or supplying alcohol to minors; Brice M. Love, 19, of Newton was charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor; Ashley T. Gipe, 18, of Newton was charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor; Jacob M. Peterson, 16, of Colfax was charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor; and a 15-year-old Newton boy was charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor. The 15-year-old and Patterson’s cases were turned over to the juvenile court authorities.

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.