Newton Police Department
• Krystle L. Valentine, 33, homeless, and Michael C. Pearson, 44, homeless, were charged with fifth-degree theft at 11:50 a.m. Feb. 24 after police were called to Hy-Vee in reference to two shoplifters. Police talked with store employees who said they saw a male and a female, who entered the store together, take items and then leave the store without paying for them. Pearson was seen taking beef jerky and leaving. Valentine was seen taking various food items. Valentine and Pearson were located at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 2105 S. Eighth Ave. E. and arrested on warrants for the theft charges from Hy-Vee. Valentine also was arrested on a Jasper County warrant for failure to appear on a contempt charge. They were taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Jonathan L. Kendall, 31, of Newton, was charged with interference with official acts at 8:44 p.m. Tuesday when police stopped a vehicle that didn’t have running lights. The officer recognized the passenger as Kendall. Officers ran a warrant check on Kendall and an active warrant showed. Kendall told police he was not Jonathan, but Jacob, his brother. Officers said they knew he wasn’t Jacob. When officers went to place Kendall under arrest, he attempted to run away on foot. Officers took Kendall to the ground and placed him in handcuffs. Kendall apologized and said he ran because he knew he’d be going to prison on his warrant. Kendall has two Jasper County warrants for failure to appear for sentencing on multiple charges, including possession of a firearm by a felon, child endangerment and several counts of controlled substance violation. Kendall was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Michael R. Pruitt, 49, of Newton, and Kimberly M. Pruitt, 51, of Baxter, were charged with violation of no contact, protective order at 9 p.m. Feb. 25 after police were dispatched to 505 E. 20th St. S. in reference to a violation of a no contact order. Police arrived and spoke with the reporting party who said Michael and Kimberly were in a bedroom upstairs together and there was a no contact order between Michael, the defendant, and Kimberly, the protected party. Police were escorted to the room and saw them together. Michael and Kimberly told police they were aware of the protective order and Kimberly attempted to cancel it. They told police they disregarded the protective order to see each other. Michael and Kimberly were arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
• Joanne L. Bailey, 34, of Pella, was charged with operating while under the influence, two counts of assault on persons in certain occupations and interference with official acts at 12:48 a.m. Sunday after law enforcement was called in reference to a reckless driver going very slow and all over the roadway on Highway S74 South in Newton. Bailey pulled into a driveway and parked. Police spoke to Bailey and her vehicle smelled of alcohol. Bailey told police she was at Fore Seasons, drank two beers and she said she pulled over because she had to urinate. She became combative and attempted to kick law enforcement. Bailey was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail where she continued to be combative with the jailers and wouldn’t follow directions, Bailey reportedly bit an officer’s finger at the jail.