Smithville Police arrested a man last week accused of breaking into vehicles parked near the hospital.
47 year old Billy Eugene Cook Jr. was arrested on Wednesday, August 10 for criminal impersonation and auto burglary. Police were called to investigate a complaint of a man who left the emergency room of the hospital and had been seen going through cars in the parking lot. Upon arrival the officer was approached by a man who said that someone had gotten into his vehicle and threatened him. After making the threat, the man jumped out of the vehicle and ran toward the specialty clinic. The officer caught up with the man (Cook) and placed him under arrest. Cook gave the wrong name and birth date when asked to identify himself. Another officer on the scene, who knew Cook, recognized him. His identity was confirmed by a computer picture. Cook was found to have in his possession stolen items taken from a car parked earlier by the hospital emergency room. His bond is $15,000 and his court date is August 25.
22 year old Jacob James Damon was arrested Thursday, August 4 for simple possession, driving on a revoked license, and evading arrest. Police responded to a complaint of a reckless driver on Cookeville Highway coming into the city limits. Officers spotted the vehicle near Northside Elementary School and observed it go through the red light at Highways 70 & 56 at a high rate of speed. Police activated their blue lights but the driver (Damon) refused to stop and continued into Warren County through a residential area. The driver (Damon) then turned onto a driveway and drove through the back yard and field where the vehicle went out of control and spun around before going into the yard of another residence. Due to a safety threat, police determined that the driver (Damon) needed to be stopped. They implemented the controlled pit maneuver and got the vehicle stopped. The driver (Damon) exited and continued to evade on foot. Officers gave chase and apprehended Damon. Incident to arrest, police found 32 pills believed to be Diazepam in a cellophane wrapper on Damon’s person. His bond is $16,500 and his court date is August 18.
25 year old Ashley M. Singleton was cited for shoplifting on Tuesday, August 2. A Dollar General Store employee observed Singleton placing items in her purse. The stolen merchandise was recovered and returned. She will make a court appearance on August 25.
40 year old Michael Dwayne Bennett was arrested on Friday, August 5 on a second offense of driving while suspended. Police initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle failing to maintain its lane of travel. Bennett, the driver, was not able to produce a driver’s license. Central Dispatch revealed that Bennett’s license were suspended for failure to show proof of insurance. Bennett was further cited for registration violation and failure to maintain lane of travel. His bond is $2,500 and his court date is September 1.
22 year old Shane Tyler Hale was cited on Saturday, August 6 for theft of property under $500. A Wal-Mart employee observed Hale taking multiple items from the store shelves and concealing the items in his pockets.
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