Newton Police
Department
• Kenneth E. Chance, 18, of Newton, was charged with fifth-degree theft and carrying weapons at 12:28 p.m. Sept. 28 after police were called to Hy-Vee. The store manager told police he watched Chance leave the store without paying for two pizzas. The man was also in possession of brass knuckles, which are considered a dangerous weapon. The pizzas were valued at $25. Chance was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail. Chance was also banned from the store.
• William J. Bernard III, 34, of Newton, was charged with domestic abuse assault injury or mental illness and interference with official acts at 2:32 a.m. Oct. 1 after police were called to a residence on West Fifth Street South. Police spoke with the victim who was covered in blood and intoxicated. Bernard was in the home but was not willing to come out, and he was yelling at officers to leave. The victim told police she had been pushed by Bernard through the west door causing injury to her left elbow and three cuts to her left hand. Bernard resisted arrest and had to be tased in order to get him on the ground and in handcuffs. He continued to resist while at the Jasper County Jail and was placed in a restraint chair.
• Darren J. Versendaal, 18, homeless, was charged with fifth-degree theft and possession of drug paraphernalia at 9 p.m. Sept. 29 after police were called to Hy-Vee in reference to a theft. Versendaal is accused of stealing beef sticks. Versendaal also told police he had a grinder and handed it over to police. Versendaal was released and issued a citation to appear in court.
• Joe H. Brooks, 39, of Newton, was charged with providing false identification information and fifth-degree theft at 11 p.m. Oct. 1 after police were called to a residence on South Second Avenue West. A cab driver and Brooks were located by police. The cab driver told police Brooks owed her $7 and only paid her $5. The driver told police she wanted the $2 or she would press charges. The officer gave Brooks the time to get the funds and he didn’t. He was placed under arrest and gave police the name “Kelvin Pruitt” when he arrived at the jail, they discovered his correct identity. Brooks was found to have an active warrant through Story County.
Jasper County
Sheriff’s Office
• Jason A. Stanton, 37, of Newton, was charged with operating while under the influence and eluding at 9:56 p.m. Sept. 30 after an officer attempted to pull Stanton over in the 1900 block of West Fourth Street North for a traffic violation. He was driving on the wrong side of the road while turning onto North 14th Avenue East off of Highway 14. He also quickly accelerated the vehicle shortly after the officer initiated patrol car lights. Stanton pulled over on West Fourth Street North and told the officer he drank three beers prior to and while driving the vehicle. A total of 12 open alcohol containers were on the vehicle’s floor. Stanton refused all sobriety tests and refused to give a sample of his breath. Stanton’s driver’s license is suspended. He was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• James W. Declue, 31, of Arnold, Mo., was charged with domestic abuse assault, third offense, first-degree harassment at 10:45 a.m. Sept. 29 after an officer was called to Highway 163 mile marker 25 in Monroe. The victim told the officer Declue had struck her in the head four times and in the face twice and bit her on the thigh. The victim had bruises on her face and a bite mark on her thigh. She also told the officer Declue threatened to kill her. The victim requested a no contact order. Declue was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.