The Smithville Police Department has made several arrests within the past month on charges ranging from driving under the influence, public intoxication, assault, drug offenses, and burglary and theft, among others.
In the latest crime news released to the media, Police Chief Randy Caplinger reports that on Saturday, May 14th Officer Brandon Donnell arrested 50 year old James Milton Florida, of Smyrna for DUI. According to the warrant, Officer Donnell responded to Hardees to check out a report of a man who had passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle in the drive thru. Officer Donnell arrived and tried several times to wake him up. In doing so, he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. Florida’s court date is June 23rd. His bond is $1,500.
On Monday, May 16th Officer Bradley Tatrow arrested 51 year old Landon Lynn Mathis of West Broad Street for burglary and theft under $500. According to the warrant, Mathis was in an area not open to the public knowing he was not supposed to be there. He allegedly took fruit without paying for it. His bond is $2,000 and his court date is June 23rd.
On Wednesday, May 18th Corporal Travis Bryant cited 25 year old Laura Beth Elmore of Gentry Avenue for theft. Elmore was found to have in her purse, items taken from Dollar General Store that had not been paid for.
On Wednesday, May 18th Corporal Travis Bryant arrested 74 year old Phyllis Angeline Thompson of Foster Road for abuse of 911. Thompson allegedly called 911 and when Corporal Bryant arrived at her residence in answer to the call, she told him her cell phone was making a buzzing noise. Ms. Thompson had been informed several times since May 2nd not to dial 911 unless she had an actual emergency. Her bond is $1,000.
On Wednesday, May 18th Corporal Travis Bryant arrested 65 year old Jo Ann Luna of Joe Turner Road for public intoxication. Corporal Bryant and Officer Matt Farmer responded to a call at Wal-Mart and met with Luna. After speaking with her, Corporal Bryant noticed she appeared to be unsteady and had slurred speech. After submitting to field sobriety tests Ms. Luna was arrested. Her bond is $1,000.
On Thursday, May 19th Officer David Phillips cited 41 year old Brenda Lou Barrett and 33 year old Tanya Ann Chapman both of Liberty for simple possession and casual exchange. Barrett was stopped for a traffic violation and after giving the officer consent to search her vehicle, she and Chapman were found to be in possession of prescription medication for resale.
On Saturday, May 21st Officer Andy Snow arrested 46 year old Artemio Juarez of Jackson Street for a second offense of driving under the influence and driving on a revoked license because of a DUI. Officer Snow was called to check on a person who had passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. Upon arrival Officer Snow found Juarez in the driver’s seat asleep with the key in the ignition. Juarez had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person, blood shot eyes and he was unsteady on his feet. A computer check of his license revealed them to be revoked for a previous DUI. His bond is $6,500 and his court date is June 16th.
On Monday, May 23rd Corporal Travis Bryant cited 46 year old Susan Elaine Shaw of Dearman Street for theft under $500. Witnesses saw Ms. Shaw allegedly put items that she had not paid for in her purse at the Dollar General Store.
On Thursday, May 26th Officer Matt Farmer cited 20 year old Krista Lauren Ellis of Highland Avenue for shoplifting. Ms. Ellis was seen allegedly putting items belonging to Dollar General Store in her bag that she had not paid for.
On Monday, May 23rd Sergeant Randy King arrested 24 year old Julian Flores Cruz of Morgan Drive for aggravated assault. Cruz allegedly assaulted his girlfriend by backing her into a closet in her home with a knife and then sticking the knife in the wall next to her body. His bond is $25,000 and his court date is June 16th.
On Saturday, May 28th Sergeant Randy King arrested 28 year old Abalardo Lara of West Broad Street for DUI. Sergeant King was looking for a reported reckless driver coming into the city limits when he met the vehicle coming toward him. According to Sergeant King, the automobile crossed the center line and almost hit him head on. After stopping the vehicle and speaking with the driver, Lara, Sergeant King noticed a strong smell of a fermented beverage about his person. Lara had slurred speech and he was unsteady on his feet. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on June 16th.
On Saturday, May 28th K-9 Officer James Cornelius arrested 26 year old Stephen Brandon Pirtle of Rolling Acres Road for domestic assault and public intoxication. K-9 Officer Cornelius and Officer Brandon Donnell responded to a domestic call where Pirtle had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and then left the residence. Officer Donnell made contact with Mr. Pirtle by the side of the road. While talking with him, officers could smell alcohol on his person and noticed his speech was slurred. Bond for Pirtle is $4,000 and his court date is June 23rd.
On Monday, May 30th Corporal Travis Bryant arrested 40 year old Vickie Lenae Alvis of Sparta Highway for DUI and escape. Corporal Bryant stopped a vehicle for speeding on East Broad Street and while speaking with the driver, Alvis, he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on her person and Alvis’ speech was slurred. Ms. Alvis was transported to the police department but while there, she was able to get the handcuffs off and walk outside. She was quickly apprehended again. Her bond is $5,000.
On Wednesday, June 1st Detective Matt Holmes arrested mother and daughter, 63 year old Charlene Poss and 27 year old Terri Lynn Poss both of Poss Road for theft under $500. A report was taken stating that on September 10th, 2010 several pieces of jewelry were taken from F Z Webb & Sons Gifts. On May 19th, 2011 Terri Poss allegedly went to Granny’s Gold Mine and sold the jewelry to the business while her mother, Charlene stayed outside in the car. Bond for each is $5,000 and their court date is June 16th.
On Wednesday, June 1st Officer Brandon Donnell arrested 28 year old Cassandra Nicole Estes of Foster Road for public intoxication. Officer Donnell was dispatched to Pizza Hut to check on a possible intoxicated female inside. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with Estes and saw that she could not keep her eyes open. Estes had slurred speech and she was unsteady on her feet to the point where she could hardly stand up. Bond for Estes is $1,000 and her court date is June 23rd.
Estes was arrested again the next day, Thursday June 2nd, along with 35 year old Tyrone Dwayne Owens of Shady Drive. They were each charged with public intoxication. Officer David Phillips and Sergeant Randy King were in court when they saw Estes and Owens in the court room about to pass out. Both had slurred speech and they were unsteady on their feet. Bond for each is $1,000. Estes will be in court on August 4th. Owens’ court date is June 23rd.
On Thursday, June 2nd Officer Bradley Tatrow cited 22 year old Brittany Jean Bell of King Ridge Road for possession of drug paraphernalia. Ms. Bell was observed snorting something inside her car at Bill Page Ball Park. Ms. Bell gave consent to search her vehicle and Officer Tatrow recovered a pipe believed to be used for smoking marijuana. Her court date is June 23rd
On Thursday, June 2nd Officer David Phillips cited 27 year old Millissia Ann Berry of Gainesboro for theft of property. Ms. Berry was seen putting items in purse that she had not paid for. Her court date is June 23rd.
On Friday, June 3rd Officer Matt Farmer arrested 26 year old Melinda Beth Murphy of Webb Street for violation of probation. Officer Farmer responded to a disturbance near Webb Street where he identified Ms. Murphy. A background check revealed active warrants against her for violation of probation.
Meanwhile, anyone with information on any criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
Any information received that will help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.
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