Newton Police
Department
• Brandon M. Avila, 33, of Newton was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief at 9 p.m. Sunday following an incident earlier that day at 527 First Ave. W. The report states Avila allegedly slashed two tires on a vehicle owned by a 36-year-old Newton woman’s parents. Police said witnesses saw Avila slash the tires and flee the scene. He was released to appear in court.
• William A. Bloomhall, III, 41, of Cedar Rapids was charged with driving while license suspended at 10:13 a.m. Thursday at the 165 mile marker on Interstate 80 West. The report states Bloomhall’s vehicle was stopped on the side of the road when an officer approached and found Bloomhall waking up. A check of Bloomhall’s driving status showed Bloomhall’s license was suspended. He was released to appear in court.
• Michael A. Criqui, 17, of Newton was charged with third-degree criminal mischief at 4:34 p.m. May 27 in the 100 block of West Third Street South. The report states Criqui became upset with a passenger in a vehicle and broke out the right rear window, resulting in a cut on Criqui’s elbow. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $933.53. Criqui was referred to juvenile services.
• Benjamin S. Dillehay, 27, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated, second offense, at 12:50 a.m. Saturday in the 1300 block of South 13th Avenue East. The report states Dillehay’s vehicle was stopped for driving erratically. Dillehay allegedly showed signs of intoxication and failed three field sobriety tests. Dillehay was placed into custody and transported to jail, where a chemical test indicated he had a BAC of .198. He was released to appear in court.
• Leroy J. Harris, 63, of Newton was charged with public intoxication, first offense, at 9:52 p.m. Friday at 322 E. Fourth St. N. #2. The report states an officer was called by a female who was moving items out of the apartment. Harris was allegedly yelling at the woman as she was moving and he showed signs of intoxication. Police said Harris then began arguing with officers, who determined he was intoxicated. Harris was placed into custody and transported to jail, where he refused a chemical test.
• Joshua M. Hilsenbeck, 22, of Newton was arrested on a warrant at 2 p.m. Thursday at 1742 W. Fourth St. N. #1. The report states Hilsenbeck had a warrant for a probation violation for trafficking stolen weapons. Hilsenbeck was placed into custody and transported to jail.
• Alex R. Mortenson, 19, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft at 12:47 p.m. Friday at Murphy USA, located at 200 Iowa Speedway Drive. The report states an employee observed Mortenson acting suspiciously and made a note of Mortenson’s license plate number after he purchased a soda and his female companion bought gas. Checking video surveillance after Mortenson was gone, the employee allegedly saw Mortenson take nine lighters. Mortenson allegedly admitted taking the lighters but would say no more. He was released to appear in court.
• Nicholas J. White, 29, of Newton and Michael J. Croy, 27, were each arrested on Jasper County Task Force warrants following a traffic stop at 12:45 a.m. June 1 at 1306 N. 11th Ave. E. The report states an officer observed Croy driving a vehicle in an industrial area and knew that Croy’s license was suspended. Croy was arrested on a warrant for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver from May 24. Croy was also charged with driving while license suspended. White was arrested on a warrant from the same date for purchasing pseudoephedrine of an unknown quantity. Both Croy and White were placed into custody and transported to jail.
Jasper County
Sheriff’s Office
• Kennith C. Madison, 29, of Des Moines was arrested on a warrant at 5:20 p.m. Friday at 2300 Law Center Drive. The report states Madison was taken into custody by his bail bond company for failure to appear in court and handed over to the jail.
• Aaron N. Ross, 39, of Colfax was charged with simple domestic assault at 12:20 a.m. Sunday at an undisclosed address on S. Iowa Street. The report states Ross got into an argument with his 17-year-old son, Shaidin A. Ross, and struck his son on the chin. Shaidin A. Ross was also charged in the incident with possession of alcohol underage after admitting to a deputy he had been drinking and proving a BAC sample of more than .08. Aaron N. Ross was placed into custody and transported to jail, while Shaidin A. Ross was referred to juvenile services.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. It is the policy of the Newton Daily News to release the names of individuals charged with a crime who are 15 and up.