Creston Police: Obscene gestures lead to violation of court order

Austin A. Jones, 31, of Creston, was taken into custody 5:40 a.m. Sept. 30, in the 400 block of West Townline Street on the charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a controlled substance - marijuana, first offense.

According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 5:11 a.m. Jones approached the victim’s residence and as the victim attempted to leave, Jones began pounding on the victim’s car window. The victim stated they and Jones had been in a verbal altercation prior to this.

The victim said Jones displayed a knife and was attempting to slash the tires of the victim’s car. The victim stated they were scared by Jones’ actions. In a 911 call placed by the victim, the victim’s fear was apparent to officers as the victim reported Jones to be following them in his 2005 Ford Expedition at a close distance.

Officers located Jones a short distance from where the initial call was made. The Expedition, described by the victim, was also located and the engine appeared to be warm and the keys were in the ignition. Jones was not in the vehicle at the time, but a knife was observed in plain view in the center console.

Jones made statements about driving the vehicle earlier and mentioned a female. He told officers there was a THC vape in his pocket which was seized by officers and field-tested positive for THC.

Jones was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $3,000 cash or surety bond.

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Danny R. Bird Jr., 56, of New Market, was taken into custody 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30, on a Union County warrant for the charge of violation of a no contact/protective order.

According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 3:40 p.m. Sept. 20, Bird pulled his truck perpendicular with the driver’s side of the vehicle the protected party is known to drive. When the protected party got out their phone to record the incident, Bird made an obscene gesture to the protected party twice.

Security footage from the store was watched by officers which confirmed the report and Bird admitted to making the gesture during a phone call.

Bird was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $300 cash or surety bond.