March 19, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Austin J. Hurt, 19, of Newton, is charged with driving while license suspended after officers were called to the 100 block of West Fourth Street South at 8:06 p.m. Wednesday. Officers found Hurt to be driving a car that was reported to be chasing another vehicle. He was cited and released to appear.

• Tara L. Rocha, 18, of Des Moines, is charged with possession of controlled substance and interference with official acts after authorities pulled her over in the 300 block of East Fifth Street North at 3:43 a.m. Tuesday. Officers noticed her acting panicky and after asking her name, she gave several false names before admitting her real name. She did not have a valid driver’s license so a tow truck was called and Rocha said she had property in the vehicle she needed. When asked if there was anything illegal she said no but officers found meth within her property. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Molly J. Beavers, 39, of Newton, is charged with failure to yield upon entering a through highway after authorities were called to South Fifth Avenue East and East 11th Street South at 5:54 p.m. Wednesday. Tammi Ulrey was traveling south when Beavers entered the intersection causing a collision. Ulrey had approximately $3,000 in damage while Beavers had approximately $1,500. She was cited and released to appear.