Newton Police Department
• Jana J. Vangenderen, 38, of Newton, is charged with operating while under the influence after authorities pulled her over at 12:25 a.m. Tuesday in the 1300 block of First Avenue East. When officers made contact with Vangenderen, they smelled alcohol and saw that she had bloodshot, watery eyes. She said she had three to four beers and had a BAC of .104. She was cited and released to appear.
• Jessica R. Best, 31, of Newton, is charged with unsafe passing after authorities were called at 12:46 p.m. Tuesday to 701 W. Second St. S. Officers were called about an incident where Best and a second vehicle were traveling east on South Eighth Avenue East. The second vehicle slowed to turn left when Best attempted to pass them, hitting them and knocking them off of a moped. Best claimed that the victim did not have a turn signal on but two witnesses stated the turn signal was activated. She was cited and released to appear.
• Melvin Q. Boyd, 28, of Newton, is charged with operating while under the influence, driving while license under suspension and leaving the scene of an accident after authorities were called at 2:14 a.m. Saturday to the 1400 block of North 11th Avenue East. Officers were called about a vehicle accident and were told about a male wearing a black sweatshirt that ran away from the scene after hitting multiple parked cars. Officers located Boyd and he admitted to driving the vehicle. Officers smelled alcohol on him but he said he only had a couple of beers and that he was not intoxicated because he had a very high tolerance. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.