Newton Police Department
• Matthew A. Bakalar, 29, of Newton was charged with first-degree harassment after officers where dispatched to investigate an incident at 1009 E. 12th St. N at 9:18 p.m. Thursday. A female victim reported to police she received 10 text messages in which Bakalar threatened to assault her. According to police reports, Bakalar allegedly was at the residence at 9:15 p.m. swinging a bat-like object and threatened to return with a gun. He was advised last month not to make any contact with the female victim. Police reported he was not at his residence at 10:27 p.m. when they arrived, but authorities found him at a nearby location, where it was reported that he was out of control. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Melissa A. Braaksma, 41, of Newton was charged with disorderly conduct after police were dispatched at 7:29 p.m. Thursday to 200 N. 13th Ave. W. to investigate complaints of a female subject banging the lid of her gas grill. Police had been called eight times to the same residence before to resolve the same issue. She also was reported to allegedly have been making noises at all hours. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Karen S. Gulling, 60, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated after police stopped her vehicle for a allegedly driving without a headlight at 8:22 p.m. Wednesday in 100 block of West 15th St. Pl. N. Her blood alcohol level at the time was .147. She was released to appear.
• Joshua S. Stoltenburg, 31, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated, third offense, after police were dispatched to the 100 block of West Second Avenue North at 6:17 a.m. Saturday on a report of a vehicle sitting at a traffic light with the motor running for 10 minutes. Police allegedly found Stoltenburg slumped over the wheel and made several attempts to wake him. After officers were able to wake him, he refused all testing. His previous OWI convictions were in 2002 and 2004. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Three people where charged with fifth-degree theft after police were dispatched to Walmart at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday. Employees allegedly saw Jacinda O. Staver, 21, of Newton and Jessica M. Staver, 26, of Newton attempting to take $85.74 worth of products from the store without paying for them. Another woman — Teresa L. Powers, 52, of Newton — allegedly was with them at the time and attempted to leave the store without paying for $173.56 worth of items. Police reported Powers canceled her payment while at the self-checkout lane and attempted to leave the store with the merchandise but was stopped before exiting. All three were released to appear.
• Ross R. Wadzinski, 25, of Newton was arrested for probation violation for providing alcohol to minors after authorities located him at 1:53 p.m. Thursday at 730 W. 12th St. S. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
• John B. Boertje, 39, of Lynnville was charged with serious domestic assault at 5:28 p.m. Sunday after police arrived at 28 E. 19th St. N. Police determined he struck his wife in the arm and face, causing injury. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Richard N. Fall, 58, of Colfax was charged with serious domestic assault at 7:57 p.m. Sunday after police were dispatched to 10590 S. 36th Ave. W. in Colfax. Police reported Fall and his wife were in a argument when he allegedly struck her with a closed fist in the face and head, causing injury. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Anne C. Robinson, 58, of Newton was arresting for driving while license revoked after police stopped her at 2305 E. 19th St. N. at 2:23 p.m. Sunday. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
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.