Newton Police

February 28 At 10:27 a.m. Newton Police were called to Weis Markets on Water Street for a reported fraud. Investigation led to the 11:06 a.m. arrest of store employee Ashley Hayes Hofker, 19, of Ogdensburg. It is alleged that on Jan. 18, Hofker unlawfully took possession of another employee's paycheck, issued in the amount of $239.27, fraudulently endorsed it with the victim's name, and cashed it at the store's service desk. The alleged crimes were captured on the store's surveillance system. Hofker was charged with theft by deception and forgery, and was released on her own recognizance pending her scheduled first appearance in Newton Municipal Court. March 2 Newton Police are investigating a threat of violence that was written in a bathroom at Newton High School on Wednesday. Two students discovered the writing at about 1 p.m. on Wednesday and reported it to school authorities. Police are actively investigating the case and have increased their presence in and around the school. The threat was generalized, and not directed at any particular person. March 4 Newton Police responded to the area of the Brookside Court apartments on Mill Street to investigate a report of suspicious acting youths with guns getting into a van. Police located three juvenile males on foot in the area who were each in possession of knives. Police then located the van and stopped it on Spring Street. Three more juveniles were located in the van. Further investigation revealed that the 15-year-old unlicensed driver of the van had taken the vehicle without the consent of the owner. These three juveniles were also in possession of knives. Additionally, the driver was in possession of a .38 caliber revolver with bullets and a back seat passenger was in possession of a pellet gun. All six juveniles were arrested and charged with weapons offenses. The driver was also issued summonses for motor vehicle violations. Five juveniles were released to their parents and one was lodged in the juvenile detention center. The intent of the juveniles to possess the weapons r