theft Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Three charged with financial exploitation, theft of more than $60,000

Posted at 12:30 am July 23, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Johnnie Shane Munsey

An Andersonville man and two Andersonville women have been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable person and theft of more than $60,000, according to Anderson County court records.

The three are Johnnie Shane Munsey, 46; Phyllis Joan Spradling, 71; and Tammie Jo Munsey, 42. They were indicted by the Anderson County Grand Jury in Clinton on July 10. The two exploitation and theft charges are both Class B felonies.

The three defendants, who all live at the same address in Andersonville, are accused of financially exploiting an elderly or vulnerable adult between December 30, 2015, through November 1, 2017, the court records said.

And they are accused of obtaining property, including but not limited to U.S. currency valued at more than $60,000, from the victim, Jimmy Spradling, without his consent, the indictments said. [Read more…]

Man accused of robbing pregnant woman, kicking her in stomach

Posted at 7:43 pm March 20, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Jordan Lamar Young

An Oak Ridge man allegedly broke into an apartment on Utica Circle on Monday, threatened a pregnant woman while brandishing a folding pocket knife, and demanded prescriptions and cash, Anderson County court records said. When the woman resisted, the court records said, she was thrown to the ground and kicked in the stomach, and the man jammed his knee into her back to try to get her to comply.

“The victim was in fear of great bodily harm or death to herself or her unborn child,” according to affidavits filed Tuesday in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

The affidavits, filed by Oak Ridge Police Department Investigator A. Marvell Moore, said the victim is seven months pregnant.

After the alleged home invasion robbery, the suspect, Jordan Lamar Young, 31, of Tuskegee Drive, fled the apartment with the pregnant woman’s prescription medication and $301 in cash, the affidavits said. [Read more…]

Sheriff’s Department has holiday crime prevention tips

Posted at 5:33 pm December 22, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has offered holiday crime prevention tips.

“The busy holiday season is…upon us and many people can become victims of burglary, theft, and other crime,” a press release said. “Protecting yourself and your home from crime is the easiest way to have a safe, happy holiday season.”

To help ensure everyone has safe and fun holidays, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department would like to offer the following tips for holiday crime prevention.

Shopping:

Park in lighted areas at night.
Always lock your car.
Don’t try to cover items on your seats. Put shopping bags in your trunk or take your packages straight home after shopping and then go back out.
Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you, or else, keep it in your front pocket—not in your purse or wallet.
Be extra careful when carrying a purse—they are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas. If you must carry one, make sure it has a strap that can go over the shoulder and be held under the arm, making them more difficult for purse snatchers to grab.
Keep a record of all of your debit and credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
Beware of strangers approaching you. This is the time of year when thieves may try various methods to distract you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

[Read more…]

Update: Community rallies behind kids, drops off replacement toys; thieves still on loose

Posted at 11:28 am December 19, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

As WYSH Radio first reported on Friday, a real-life Grinch struck in Anderson County on Thursday. But thanks to the generosity of the community, this holiday tale had a happy ending.

The co-founder of Toys for Rocky Top, Tennessee Kids—Joe Paris—and his brother were going home after an event on Thursday, where volunteers had wrapped hundreds of toys to be distributed to children in need during their annual Christmas party set for this past Saturday night.

The men had loaded up their respective trucks with the Christmas gifts and were on their way home when Paris’s brother’s truck—which had a bad alternator to begin with—broke down by the side of Briceville Highway. The men decided to lock the truck and come back for it the next day, leaving about 150 gifts in the back of the truck, along with a photo backdrop loaned to them by a Clinton photography studio and a new alternator the men had purchased earlier in the day to replace the one in the green Ford Ranger that ultimately broke down. [Read more…]

Charges in alleged robbery at Family Dollar in OS sent to grand jury

Posted at 2:53 pm September 2, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Steven-Scruggs-Preliminary-Hearing-Aug-23-2016

Robbery charges filed against Steven Scruggs, 31, of Oliver Springs, in orange above, were sent to a grand jury during a preliminary hearing in Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was updated at 5:05 p.m.

The robbery, attempted robbery, and theft charges filed against an Oliver Springs man after an alleged robbery at Family Dollar in July have been sent to a grand jury.

Steven Scruggs, 31, had a preliminary hearing in Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, August 23. His two co-defendants, also Oliver Springs residents, were in court as well. One pleaded guilty to one charge, and another waived one to a grand jury.

Anderson County General Sessions Court Judge Roger Miller found probable cause to send the robbery, attempted robbery, and theft charges filed against Scruggs to the grand jury after hearing testimony from employee Kimberly Armes, who was working at the store the evening of July 20, when the alleged robbery occurred, and from Oliver Springs Police Department Lieutenant David Laxton, who investigated it. All three charges are felony charges.

A false imprisonment charge that had also been filed against Scruggs was dismissed.

The robbery was reported at about 10:04 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Family Dollar store, which is at 51 Edmonds Drive in Oliver Springs. [Read more…]

Five arrested quickly after gun theft reported on Norris Freeway

Posted at 1:33 pm August 17, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Anthony Wayne Daniels

Quick work by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department deputies after a gun theft was reported led to the arrest of five people on Monday, August 15, authorities said.

Deputies were called to a home on Norris Freeway shortly after 10 a.m., where a homeowner reported someone had stolen guns from his home. The resident said he was distracted by one of the five people, who came asking about some rental property, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

“Other suspects apparently entered the home and stole the firearms,” Lucas said. “A responding deputy recognized a truck fleeing the scene and notified other deputies by radio. Deputies were waiting when the truck and the five occupants arrived at a mobile home park in Claxton. All five were arrested and the guns recovered.” [Read more…]

Three charged after robbery reported at Family Dollar in Oliver Springs

Posted at 7:18 pm July 21, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Steven Scruggs

Note: This story was last updated at 7:40 p.m.

Three people have been charged after a robbery was reported at Family Dollar in Oliver Springs on Wednesday night, authorities said.

The robbery was reported at about 10:04 p.m. Wednesday at the store, which is at 51 Edmonds Drive in Oliver Springs.

When they arrived, Sergeant Kevin Armes and Patrolman Nathaniel Nelson of the Oliver Springs Police Department were told that, after closing and while the cashiers were doing the money count, a masked man came from the back of the store and ordered both employees to the floor and demanded all the money and cell phones, a press release said. After receiving all the cash from the register and safe, he reportedly left the store through the back, the release said. [Read more…]

Former Anderson County commissioner, teacher indicted in alleged church theft

Posted at 5:16 pm February 11, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

James Michael Cox

Note: This story was last updated at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 12.

A former Anderson County commissioner, commission chair, and teacher has been indicted on one count of theft over $60,000 from a church in Rocky Top, authorities said.

James Michael “Mike” Cox surrendered at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Thursday afternoon, Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark said.

Cox was indicted by the Anderson County Grand Jury on the Class B felony on February 2.

The theft of about $100,000 is alleged to have occurred from Longfield Baptist Church in Rocky Top, the former Lake City, between June 1, 2011, and December 1, 2014, Clark said. [Read more…]

Two arrested after alleged dirt bike theft, police car hit, authorities say

Posted at 2:42 pm September 1, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Charles Ray Eller

Two men who admitted stealing a trailer and dirt bikes early Monday morning have been charged with theft and evading arrest, and the driver of the fleeing pickup truck has been charged with aggravated assault after trying to strike one Oak Ridge Police Department vehicle and backing up and hitting another, authorities said.

Police officers received the report of the trailer and dirt bike theft at about 2:45 a.m. Monday, August 31, at 208 South Illinois Avenue, an area near two hotels. The trailer and dirt bike were estimated to have a value of at least $10,000.

In arrest warrants, ORPD Officer Kyle Scott said he saw Charles R. Eller, 27, who is listed as a transient, and Joshua R. Hannifin, 29, of Oak Ridge, at that location, near a trailer that matched the given description. The trailer was attached to a black Ford F150 pickup truck, Scott said.

When Eller and Hannifin saw him, the officer said, they quickly got into the truck and fled. Scott said he chased them with his lights and sirens on. [Read more…]

Video, picture: Help CPD catch a theft suspect

Posted at 3:39 pm April 6, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Clinton Police Department detectives are looking for a suspect (or suspects) involved in the burglary of Scrap Metal Solutions on J.D. Yarnell Industrial Parkway.

According to the initial investigation, it’s believed the break-in occurred sometime during the weekend.

“We’re asking you to take a look at this video,” the CPD said. “If you know the suspect or have any information, please contact Lieutenant Carl Bailey or Detective Jason Lawson at (865) 457-3112.”

See the video here: [Read more…]

Clinton police seek help finding driver in horse trailer theft

Posted at 3:20 pm April 6, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Clinton Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding the vehicle pictured here. The driver is wanted for questioning in the theft of a horse trailer from Fox Toyota this past weekend, authorities said.

If you can provide any information, call CPD Lieutenant Carl Bailey or Detective Jason Lawson at (865) 457-3112.

[Read more…]

Former Scott County deputy nabbed in TBI theft, misconduct case

Posted at 6:54 pm March 31, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Cody Scott Yancey

Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained indictments for a former Scott County Sheriff’s Department deputy accused of misconduct, authorities said. The deputy allegedly entered his department’s temporary evidence storage and removed multiple pieces of drug evidence, the TBI said.

At the request of Eighth District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI special agents began investigating Cody Scott Yancey on October 16, 2014, a press release said.

“During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that on several occasions between September 22 and October 14, Yancey made illegal entry into his department’s temporary evidence storage and removed multiple pieces of drug evidence,” the release said. [Read more…]