April 19, 2024

Police Blotter Feb. 19, 2021

Newton Police Department

• Andrew M. Thurman, 31, of Newton, was charged with eluding speed 25 over limit and six citations for failure to obey stop sign and yield the right of way at 1:38 a.m. Feb. 14 near the intersection of First Street and First Avenue. According to the Newton Police Department, officers were on active patrol when they noticed a vehicle drive through a solid red light. Police initiated their sirens in the patrol car and pursued the vehicle; however, the driver refused to pull over and failed to stop at six other stop signs. The driver, later identified as Thurman, stated he ran because he had “a couple drinks,” according to the report. Thurman apologized to the officers stating “he made a dumb decision and was sorry.” He was cited and released.

• Michael D. Llanes, 32, of Newton, was charged with trespass at 9:32 p.m. Feb. 4 in the 400 block of South Third Avenue West. According to the Newton Police Department, Llanes was found on the property after he contacted law enforcement saying he was allowed access to an apartment. Officers on scene determined he did not have legal right to be on the property when he contacted them. The owner contacted the NPD to notify law enforcement Llanes had not been given permission to enter the residence and verified he doesn’t receive mail, doesn’t live there or have personal belongings on the property that would give him a valid reason to be there. Llanes admitted when police interviewed him that he didn’t receive permission to be on the property during that time frame. He was cited and released.

• Stephen A. Dykstra, 27, of Des Moines, was charged with operating while under the influence at 7:52 p.m. Jan. 14 in the 800 block of South Eighth Avenue West. According to the Newton Police Department, officers were dispatched to a single vehicle property damage accident in the 800 block of South Eighth Avenue West. Police conducted an OWI investigation and Dykstra admitted to drinking alcohol before the accident. He was transported to MercyOne Newton Medical Center where an interview was conducted. He told officers he had been drinking shots of vodka at his parents’ residence. Dykstra admitted the drinks “probably” put him over the legal limit to drive. Standardized field sobriety tests couldn’t be conducted because of possible injury from the accident. Dykstra supplied a urine sample and the results from the Department of Criminal Investigation showed his alcohol concentration level was .298. He was cited and released.

• David Beachy, 58, of Drakesville, was arrested at 2:27 a.m. Feb. 10 in the 1600 block of West 19th Street South on an Ottumwa Police Department warrant for second-degree criminal mischief. He was taken to jail.