March 28, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police

Department

• Brandon M. Battering, 27, of Lafayette, Ind., is charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities were called to Walmart at 11:44 a.m. Wednesday. Officers spoke with employees and watched a video of Battering taking breathstrip packets and leaving the store without paying for them. He was located and officers found the items in his pocket. The item totaled $3.97. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• A 17-year-old juvenile is charged with unsafe backing after authorities were called to 536 W. 10th St. N. at 9:20 p.m. Thursday. The juvenile was backing out of a driveway when he hit Brandon Bergfeld’s parked vehicle. The juvenile did not think he hit the vehicle and drove away but Bergfeld called him and he came back. Both had approximately $200 in damage. He was cited and released to appear.

• Tyler M. Gilbert, 21, of Newton, is charged with driving while license suspended after authorities pulled him over in the 600 block of East 13th Street North at 9 p.m. Saturday. Officers pulled him over for having a broken windshield when they found him to be under suspension. He was cited and released.

• Travis J. Fairchild, 26, of Newton, is charged with fourth-degree theft after authorities were called to Hy-Vee at 11:40 p.m. Friday. Fairchild had initially been stopped by officers because he had a full cart of groceries outside of the store.

Employees said he left with the cart without paying and was being chased by the employees. He said he stole the items because his food stamp card did not work. The items totaled $333.77. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.