March 29, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police

Department

• Andrea L. Charles, 28, of Minneapolis, Minn., was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated (second offense) after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 5:14 p.m. Nov. 21. Police determined Charles was traveling east on First Avenue East when she struck the rear of a vehicle ahead of her driven by Gary M. Kaufman, 61, of Collegedale, Tenn., who was stopped at a traffic light at West Second Street North. Authorities determined Charles was intoxicated. She also was cited with following too close and transported to the Jasper County Jail. No one was injured in the accent, and damage was estimated at $600 to Charles’ vehicle and $1,000 to Kaufman’s vehicle.

• Scott W. Kenkel, 41, of Panama was cited with following too close after traveling west on Interstate 80 at 3:52 p.m. Friday and striking the rear of a vehicle ahead of him driven by John D. Burris, , of Carlisle, who had slowed for traffic near the 167 mile marker. Three passengers in Kenkel’s vehicle were injured, and a 16-year-old male passenger in Burris’ vehicle was transported to Skiff Medical Center by ambulance. Damage was estimated at $20,000 to Kenkel’s 2006 Yukon and $12,000 to Burris’ Ford F150 pickup truck.

• Jackson L. Norton, 21, of Newton was charged with three counts of forgery, one count of unauthorized use of a credit card and one count of conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary after authorities responded to a vehicle burglary complaint at 7:11 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of the Newton YMCA. The victim’s car window was broken, and her purse had been taken. Upon investigation, authorities found three unauthorized purchases on her credit card — including purchases for $148.36 at Walgreen’s, $118.64 at Casey’s and $310.04 at Walmart — along with four other attempted uses totalling $3,337.59 at Walmart, all four of which were rejected. Norton was identified as a suspect, charged and taken to the Jasper County Jail. Two teenagers — Aaron D. Reeves, 17, of Newton and a 14-year-old Newton male — also were charged in connection with the incident. Both teens were charged with three counts aiding and abetting forgery, one count of aiding and abetting the unauthorized use of a credit card and conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary. They were referred to juvenile court 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 older.