March 28, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Brandon W. Bell, 26, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated after authorities observed his vehicle swerving all over the road and stopped him at 2:03 a.m. April 26 in the 300 block of East Third Street South. Bell failed sobriety tests, and a breath test indicated a BAC of .222. He was charged and released to appear in court.

• Michael A. Criqui, 21, of Newton was charged with third-degree burglary, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, interference with official acts and possession of drug paraphernalia and Jordon J. Toen, 22, of Newton was charged with third-degree burglary, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and false report to police after authorities responded to a report of a burglary in progress at 8:13 a.m. April 20 at a residence in the 400 block of East Fifth Street North. Authorities observed a vehicle backed into the driveway with tools, electronics and a large flat-screen TV inside. Police located Criqui and Troen in the residence, and the owner said they did not have permission to be there. Troen also gave a false name and was found to be wanted on a Jasper County warrant for probation violation. During a search, Criqui allegedly was found with a baggie of 25 to 30 pills identified as alprazolam, 1.3 grams of marijuana and a glass marijuana pipe. He also was charged for allegedly resisting arrest. Troen allegedly had hydrocodone and alprazolam in his possession at the time of his arrest. Both men were transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Nicholas A. Georgou, 24, address unknown, was charged with interference with official acts, assault on a police officer and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities responded to a report at 10:21 a.m. April 25 of a man sleeping in a car in the 500 block of North Ninth Avenue East. Georgou was wanted on a warrant and allegedly ran from authorities when they attempted to arrest him. He was apprehended and allegedly grabbed an officer around the neck before running again. He was apprehended again and allegedly found in possession of a syringe and metal spoon with residue. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Benjamin D. Godby, 25, of Moravia was charged with fifth-degree theft after police were dispatched at 2:29 p.m. April 25 to Hy-Vee in reference to a shoplifter. He was charged for allegedly taking two pairs of sunglasses valued a total of $24.33 and was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Joshua S. Hofer, 23, of Newton was charged with aggravated domestic assault after authorities responded to a domestic situation at 10:51 p.m. April 26 at a residence in the 300 block of West 12th Street South. Hofer was charged for allegedly assaulting a female during an argument. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Devin M. Hoksbergen, 24, of Newton was charged with violation of a no contact order after authorities responded to a complaint at 3:59 a.m. April 26 at a residence in the 200 block of East 14th Street North. He was charged for allegedly pounding on windows and the residence door while the protected party was inside. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Lindsey M. McCoy, 28, of Baxter was charged with operating while intoxicated after authorities observed a vehicle driving over the grass in the parking lot of the Shoe Department to get onto First Avenue East at 12:29 a.m. April 26. The driver was stopped and identified as McCoy. She smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and stated she was intoxicated. She refused a breath test and was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Mary C. Metz, 51, of Des Moines was charged with public intoxication after authorities responded to a complaint at 1:09 a.m. April 26 of an intoxicated woman looking through windows in the 700 block of South Fifth Avenue West. The suspect was located and identified as Metz. She smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech and poor balance. She consented to a preliminary breath test but refused to give a good breath specimen. She was charged and released to appear in court.

• George W. Nelson, 43, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a shoplifting report at 4:49 p.m. April 25 at Fareway. He was charged for allegedly concealing a bottle of Black Velvet and attempting to leave the store. He was released to appear in court.

• Zachary D. Russell, 20, of Newton was charged fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a report of a theft April 22 at Walmart. Loss prevention staff reported observing Russell concealing a pair of earphones shortly after 9:30 a.m. He was charged and released to appear in court.

• Fred J. Stuetelberg, 57, of Newton was cited with failure to yield when making a left turn and no insurance after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 3:24 p.m. April 17. Stuetelberg was traveling east in the center lane of First Avenue East and making a left turn in Palma’s when he collided with a westbound vehicle driven by Michael H. McKinney, 41, of Newton. The impact sent Stuetelberg’s vehicle across three lanes of traffic, over a curb and into a yard on the south side of First Avenue. McKinney was transported by ambulance to Skiff Medical Center. Stuetelberg’s vehicle sustained an estimated $6,000 damage and McKinney’s vehicle an estimated $4,000 damage.

• Martin R. Waddle, 47, of Kellogg was charged with driving while license barred after authorities stopped him at 6:59 p.m. April 25 in the 700 block of First Avenue East after authorities ran his license plate and determined the plate was registered to another vehicle. He was transported 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.