Newton Police
Department
• Jessica L. Morris, 29, of Newton, was arrested at 2:05 a.m. Monday at the Hy-Vee parking lot after she was recognized as having an active warrant in Marion County for third-degree FTA. Morris was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Shastin G. Ross, 23, of Colfax, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief at 12:36 a.m. April 19 after police were called to 511 E. 21st St. S. in reference to a person slashing tires. The reporting party said Ross appeared to be intoxicated and stumbled away from the residence. The reporting party gave police a description of Ross, and he was located at his residence. Ross was heavily intoxicated, and he denied having anything to do with the tires being damaged. He told police he did have a dispute with the reporting party and her boyfriend through text messages. Ross was charged with damaging six tires between two vehicles. The tires are estimated at $600. Ross was released and issued a citation to appear in court.
• Roberto Rodriguez, 37, of Newton, was charged with driving while license denied or revoked and possession of controlled substance at 8:42 p.m. Sunday after police saw a blue pickup fail to yield to a vehicle that had a right of way. Rodriguez was pulled over on West Eighth Street North. Rodriguez showed a driving status of revoked for OWI. Police found a small plastic bag with less than five grams of marijuana in one of Rodriguez’s shoes. Rodriguez was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
Jasper County
Sheriff’s Office
• Melissa J. Whitehead, 35, of Sully, was charged with fifth-degree theft at 5:16 p.m. Sunday at Casey’s at 807 First St. in Sully. Whitehead, a Casey’s employee, was seen on security cameras taking money from the cash register and placing it in her bra. Whitehead told officials she did take the money, planning to put it back at the end of the night but didn’t. Whitehead was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Riley A. Hodge, 25, of Grinnell, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and consumption of alcohol in public place at 1:32 a.m. Wednesday after he broke into a residence on Highway F-17 East by kicking in a locked door. Hodge told officials he needed help and a ride home. Hodge had slow, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. Hodge was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.