March 29, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Shari L. Bauer, 49, of Newton was cited with failure to yield after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 2:58 p.m. Friday at South Second Avenue West and West Seventh Street South. Bauer was traveling west when she collided in the intersection with a southbound vehicle driven by Erin N. Doonan, 23, of Newton. Bauer’s vehicle sustained an estimated $1,100 damage and Doonan’s an estimated $300 damage.

• Robert E. Fults, 24, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped him at 7:58 p.m. Dec. 31 for having an inoperable brake light. He was charged and released to appear in court.

• Lane A. Jones, 22, of Newton was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and criminal trespass after authorities responded to a complaint of a damaged security camera at 7:05 a.m. Dec. 25 at America’s Best Value Inn. The camera sustained an estimated $300 damage. Security video from the camera showed a male subject identified as Jones, who was not renting a room at the motel and had no reason to be there. He was charged and released to appear in court.

• Mallory K. Knudsen, 24, of Missoula, Mont., was charged with public intoxication after authorities responded to a complaint at 2:51 a.m. Wednesday of a female trying to enter a residence in the 700 block of West Eighth Street North. She did not have shoes on, was covered in snow and was unable to perform sobriety maneuvers. A test indicated a BAC of .231. She was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Jessica A. Long, 17, of Newton was cited with failure to obey a stop sign and yield right of way after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 8:24 a.m. Thursday. Long was traveling north, entered the intersection of East Third Street North and North Fourth Avenue East and collided with an eastbound vehicle driven by Joseph A. McCombs, 48, of Newton. Long’s vehicle sustained an estimated $1,800 damage and McCombs’ vehicle an estimated $2,500 damage.

• Logan D. Plante, 17, of Newton was charged with theft after authorities were dispatched at 6:46 p.m. Dec. 31 to Walmart in reference to a shoplifter. Plante was charged for allegedly leaving with the store with a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey, valued at $21.97, without paying. He was referred to juvenile court services.

• Derrick Shar, 44, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated after authorities stopped him at 11:07 p.m. Thursday in the 400 block of First Avenue West for speeding. Shar appeared to be intoxicated and failed sobriety tests. A preliminary breath test indicated a BAC of over .08. He also was cited for speeding, no insurance and open container and was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Robert C. Sears, 31, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated after authorities observing him spin out at 10:03 p.m. Dec. 31 in the 400 block of North Second Avenue East and initiated a traffic stop in the Kum & Go parking lot on First Avenue East. Sears appeared to be intoxicated, and a Datamaster test indicated a BAC of .117. Sears was charged and released to appear in court.

• Christine E. Trettin, 47, of Newton was cited with failure to yield right of way from a stop sign after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 8:05 p.m. Friday. Trettin was traveling west on South Third Avenue East, entered the intersection at East Fourth Street South and collided with a southbound vehicle driven by Anne C. Gerken, 54, of Newton. Gerken’s vehicle sustained an estimated $800 damage and Trettin’s an estimated $200 damage. Gerken also was cited for failure to have insurance.

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 16 and older.