Newton Police Department
• Mercedes D. Brinstad, 22, of Carroll was arrested on a Chariton warrant for probation violation after authorities went to 601 S. Third Ave. E. #2 at 11:25 a.m. March 25 looking for a female wanted on an active warrant. Brinstad was located and transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Churie M. Congdon, 26, of Newton and Heather D. Jackson, 20, of Newton both were charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a theft complaint at 5:15 p.m. March 25 at Walmart. Jackson attempted to flee the scene but was stopped in her vehicle, where authorities found stolen socks. Congdon was detained by store employees and found with a pair of sunglasses. The total value of the stolen items was $16.02. Both women were taken to the Jasper County Jail. Jackson also was charged with possessing contraband after authorities found a baggie containing .7 gram of methamphetamine in her possession at the jail.
• David L. Dugan, 24, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped him at 11:20 p.m. March 21 in the 700 block of East Sixth Street North for having an inoperable brake light. He was charged for driving with a suspended license and released to appear in court.
• Andrew J. Free, 19, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 6:19 p.m. March 25. Free was traveling east in the 2200 block of First Avenue East and attempted to stop behide a vehicle ahead of him when his foot slipped off the pedal, causing him to strike the rear of the vehicle, driven by Layne D. Meyer, 46, of West Union. Meyer’s vehicle sustained an estimated $800 damage and Free’s an estimated $300 damage.
• Michaela L. Harrison, 23, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control and leaving the scene of an accident after authorities responded to an accident at 11:53 a.m. March 19. Harrison was traveling south in the 400 block of East Eighth Street South, side-swiped a parked vehicle owned by Toby L. Lusk of Newton and left the scene. Lusk witnessed the accident and provided Harrison’s license plate number to authorities. Each vehicle sustained an estimated $1,000 damage.
• Jackson R. Heard, 22, of Newton was charged with possession of stolen property fourth-degree theft after authorities located him at 7:19 p.m. March 20 at his residence, 812 N. Third Ave. W. in Newton. Authorities executed a search warrant Feb. 7 at 400 N. Second Ave. E. #9 regarding stolen property and later recovered a stolen ViewSonic projector at Heard’s residence. Heard stated he was given the projector and that he thought it was stolen. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Amanda L. King, 29, of Des Moines was arrested on a Polk County warrant for unauthorized use of credit cards after Newton police were called to the adult probation office at 10:35 a.m. March 25 in reference to a female wanted on a warrant. She was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Christopher L. Loudermilk, 22, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped him at 11:30 p.m. March 23 in the 600 block of West Third Street South for having an inoperable brake light. He was charged for driving with a suspended license and released to appear in court.
• Amanda R. McConnell, 33, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control following a single-vehicle accident at 5:02 p.m. March 21. McConnell was traveling east on North Ninth Avenue West from Union Drive when her brakes went out, causing her to hit a fire hydrant. Her truck sustained an estimated $2,000 damage. The fire hydrant sustained an estimated $100 damage and a street sign pole an estimated $200 damage.
• Ridge A. Weithers, 16, of Newton and Brayden M. Boock, 19, of Baxter both were charged with disorderly conduct after authorities observed them fighting at 3:28 p.m. March 22 at Woodland Park. The two were separated. Weithers was referred to juvenile court services, and Boock was released to appear in court.
• Wayne W. Wheatcraft, 16, of Colfax was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a shoplifting complaint at 7:56 p.m. March 23 at Walmart. He was charged for allegedly concealing an audio converter valued at $10.57. He was referred to juvenile court services.
• Kimberly S. Woody, 28, of Indianola was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped her at 1:18 a.m. March 21 in the 900 block of North Eighth Avenue East for having an inoperable brake light. She was charged for driving with a suspended license and released to appear in court.
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.