Newton Police
Department
• Tyler D. Lakin, 28, of Newton, was charged with first-degree theft, violation of no contact order and second-degree burglary from incidents that occurred on Nov. 6. According to the Newton Police Department, officers responded to a call at 5:26 a.m. Nov. 6 in the 800 block of South 13th Avenue East in reference to a burglary. Upon arrival, Newton police were advised by the victim that Lakin had allegedly entered her apartment, broke down her door, removed her pants and performed sexual acts on her, stole her cell phone and Lakin then left the apartment. The victim told officers during the incident Lakin had dropped his wallet on the living room floor. The victim gave Newton police the wallet that contained Lakin’s drivers license, two medical cards with his name on it, a credit card with his name on it and a newspaper article that referenced Lakin being charged by the NPD for false reporting. The victim told Newton police a no contact order was currently in place. Newton police were unable to find Lakin and obtained a copy of the no contact order. The victim refused to press charges for sexual assault or burglary. On Nov. 6, Newton police were called to Dodge’s Garage after a customer arrived and found the front door glass broken. During the course of the investigation, officers spoke with a witness who had purchased a scanner from “Scott Alex” which ended up being fake profile name on Facebook for $750. The scanner was a Snap On Solus Edge valued at $10,428. The witness took the scanner to the SnapOn dealer to get it updated he found it was stolen. The witness told Newton officers that the person he bought it from was tall, skinny, very white and had red hair. The Facebook profile name “Scott Alex” was linked back to Lakin as was the cell phone number he gave the witness. Lakin’s identity was discovered when the witness was shown a photo of Lakin and confirmed he was the one who sold the witness the scanner. Evidence was found on Lakin’s Facebook page that showed all the items that were stolen in the burglary and evidence showing Lakin attempting to sell those items. Warrants were issued for Lakin on the charges. He appeared in court Dec. 18. He remains in custody at the Jasper County Jail.