Newton Police Department
• Jerad O. Oldham, 40, of Newton, was charged with fifth-degree theft at 4:01 p.m. Aug. 17 in the 1200 block of West 18th Street South. According to the Newton Police Department, Oldham was observed entering Casey’s General Store with a wooden baseball bat, took a bottle of Black Velvet Liquor valued at $12.88 and exited the story without paying for the item. He was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail. While in custody, he was served for fifth-degree criminal mischief and smoking in prohibited areas. These were in relation to a May 2 incident in the 100 block of West Fourth Street South. According to the report, Oldham had been placed under arrest at 12:41 a.m. for public intoxication. He was taken to the NPD and placed in the intoxication room. While in the room, he defaced a desk and wrote multiple obscenities in pen. The desk is City of Newton property and he didn’t have permission to deface it. It cost the city $35 in manpower and supplies to restore it to its original condition.
• Aaron M. Niehus, 38, of Newton, was charged with interference with official acts at 5:46 p.m. Aug. 20. According to the Newton Police Department, officers were called to the 200 block of West Fourth Street North in reference to a domestic assault. Dispatch advised officers that a male, identified as Niehus, had assaulted a juvenile. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Niehus who appeared to be intoxicated. He was asked to exit the room to allow the police to conduct a domestic assault investigation. It was determined no charges were to be filed. Officers attempted to escort Niehus back to the room but he refused. Police secured his arms in an attempt to gain compliance and Niehus pulled away. At this point, Niehus was placed under arrest for interference with official acts and was taken to the officers’ patrol car. While attempting to place him in the vehicle, Niehus sat down and refused to place his legs in the car, locking his legs to prevent officers from placing his legs in the car. Police had to sum both of Niehus’s legs to gain compliance from him. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Jessica R. Perkins, 38, of Newton, was charged with fifth-degree theft at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 in the 1300 block of First Avenue West. According to the Newton Police Department, Perkins was seen entering the Sinclair gas station and picked a phone charge off the rack. She attempted to return the item to the front counter. When she was unable to get a return for the item, she left the store with the merchandise. The incident was captured on video surveillance. She was cited and released to appear in court.
• Cameron M. Smith, 24, of Newton, was charged with fifth-degree criminal mischief at 2:48 p.m. Aug. 19 in the 300 block of North 19th Avenue West. According to the Newton Police Department, Smith was involved in a verbal confrontation with another individual along the side of the road near the intersection of North 19th Avenue West and West Fourth Street North. Smith struck the passenger side mirror of the victim’s car, breaking it enough where it needed to be replaced. He admitted to breaking the mirror in anger. Cost to replace the mirror is estimated to be under $300. Smith was cited and released to appear in court.
• Benoit Selemani, 24, of Des Moines, was arrested following a traffic stop at 11:37 p.m. Aug. 20 at Highway 14 and Interstate 80 on Jasper County warrants for failure to appear on charges of driving while suspended and leaving the scene of an accident. He was taken to jail.