March 19, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• A 14-year-old juvenile is charged with minor in possession and public intoxication after authorities were called to 900 E. 12th St. N. at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday. Officers found the juvenile unable to maintain his balance and he then fell on the ground. He had a strong smell of alcohol and had very slurred speech. Officers found a broken bottle of vodka in his backpack and witnesses said they saw him fall off his bicycle, run up and down the street and break the bottle on the street. He requested an ambulance for a head injury he had. He was cited and released to appear.

• A 17-year-old juvenile is charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities were called to Wal-Mart at 1:24 p.m. Wednesday. A Wal-Mart asset protection employee told officers that the juvenile took shoes off of the shelf and replaced them with shoes he had worn in, then attempted to leave the store without paying. The juvenile admitted he had no intention of paying for the shoes. He was cited and released to appear.

• Michael S. Butcher, 37, of Sully, is charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities were called to Kum-N-Go at 1708 S. Eighth Ave. E. at 2:49 p.m. Monday. The manager at Kum-N-Go stated that Butcher took a hot dog and soda from the store and said that he was going to eat it and not pay for it, telling the manager to call the police. Butcher admitted to taking the hot dog and soda, which were valued at $3.08. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Crystal L. Mendenhall, 27, of Newton, is charged with striking an unattended vehicle and financial liability after authorities were called to East Fifth Street North at 6:12 a.m. Wednesday. Officers were called after Josh Versteegh went to leave for work and found that his vehicle was heavily damaged and moved approximately 25 feet from where it was parked. Officers found a broken headlight and after getting information from Versteegh, proceeded north on East Fifth Street North and turning on North 11th Avenue East where a minivan was parked half on the gravel road and half in the grass. The van was heavily damaged and was missing a headlight. Officers found Mendenhall in the van along with several small children, sleeping. After waking Mendenhall, she said that her van died so she just decided to stay there overnight. Officers said the van probably died because of the accident she was in, but Mendenhall stated she was not in an accident, although she could not say how her van was damaged. Damage on Versteegh’s vehicle was approximately $5,000 and on Mendenhall’s van was $1,000. After then children were picked up, Mendenhall was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Dennis U. G. Rice, 48, of Newton, is charged with two counts of forgery after authorities were called to 1018 First Ave. E. at 10:12 p.m. Tuesday. Officers spoke with the clerk at Casey’s who received two checks in the amounts of $77.98 and $42.46 from Rice. The checks were not in Rice’s name and did not belong to him. After contacting the account holder, officers found Rice did not have permission to write the checks. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• April M. Steine, 23, is charged with first-degree robbery, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to affix drug stamp, controlled substance violation and possession of alcohol after authorities located her at 2602 Highway F-48 W. at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 4. Sept. 3 officers were called to 719 N. Eighth Ave. E. on report of a robbery. Steine allegedly entered the residence without permission and stood behind a man she was with as he demanded money and valuables while in possession of a pistol. After the man she was with had an altercation with the victim, Steine yelled that they needed to leave and left the scene. Officers located Steine the next day and after searching the vehicle found two digital scales, numerous pills, three used syringes and baggies containing meth. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.