March 19, 2024

Police blotter

Newton Police Department

Seth A. Torbensen, 23, of Grinnell, was charged with eluding, speeding, driving on the wrong side of the highway, no valid driver's license, failure to obey stop sign and yield right of way and failure to obey traffic control device at 3:30 a.m. Dec. 26. An officer was patrolling in the 300 block of Second Avenue East when a Buick Rendezvous turned west on South Second Avenue East. The officer turned around to follow the vehicle as it took a sharp turn onto East Second Street South then proceeded southbound on South Third Avenue at a high speed and through a stop sign. The officer initiated a siren and lights, but the vehicle ran multiple stop signs while exiting Newton via Highway 14 South. In the 9200 block of Highway 14 South, the vehicle reached a speed of 97 mph in a 55 mph zone. The vehicle continued through Monroe, and went westbound on F70. Where the vehicle became inoperable. Newton police and Jasper County deputies arrested Torbensen. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.