Three people involved in a burglary and theft last week were arrested by the Sheriff’s Department after a concerned citizen came forward to report suspicious activity in the neighborhood.
47 year old Shannon Lynn Newby of Anthony Avenue, Smithville, 25 year old Brandon Wayne Hutchings of Young Ridge Road, Sparta, and 35 year old Sherry Kay Malone of Commerce Street, Watertown are each charged with theft of property over $1,000. Newby and Hutchings are also charged with aggravated burglary. Bond for Hutchings is $60,000. Newby’s bond is $29,500. Malone is under a $9,500 bond. All three will be in court on June 19.
The three are believed to be responsible for a burglary and theft at a residence on Early Bain Road last Monday, June 2. Sheriff Patrick Ray said the investigation reveals that Malone dropped off Newby and Hutchings at the residence, drove away, and then parked nearby. While Malone was gone, Newby and Hutchings allegedly broke into the residence and removed from the home a 32 inch Element television, a 42 inch Sanyo television, several nail guns, and assorted tools. Malone was to have picked up Newby and Hutchings after they brought the stolen goods outside the home but a neighbor, who became suspicious when he saw Malone parked in the driveway of another residence in the area, went to confront her. The neighbor then notified central dispatch by cell phone and officers of the sheriff’s department were sent to investigate. The officers found the stolen items from the victim’s home outside near the garage but by that time Newby and Hutchings had already fled the scene.
Prior to the burglary and theft, the observant neighbor had already become suspicious when he spotted more than one person in a strange car driving back and forth several times down the road in the area. Later, he saw the same car again going down the road with only one person inside.
According to Sheriff Ray, Malone was questioned by detectives and subsequently charged in the case. Later that night, Newby was found walking on Robinson Road while Hutchings was picked up on Dry Creek Road. Both were wet and had scratches on them. Detectives believe at least one of the burglars cut himself during the break-in because blood was found inside the victim’s home. The DNA evidence has been collected and sent to the crime lab.
41 year old Scott Lynn Sykes of Alexander Street, Smithville is charged with vandalism, theft over $1,000, and burglary. His bond totals $26,000 and he will be in court June 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, June 8 Sykes allegedly entered a barn located on Smith Road in Smithville and took two generators, a rake, broom, pitchfork, and a gas can. During the burglary, Sykes allegedly committed vandalism damage to the barn totaling $1,845.
36 year old Jason Zeen Cripps of Bethel Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on June 26. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, June 5 a deputy was dispatched to Cripps’ residence on a domestic assault complaint. The officer spoke with a woman who said when she came home, her husband, Cripps was passed out on the back porch. After waking up, Cripps came into the house and an argument started. Cripps grabbed his wife by the neck, slammed her into the wall, and started choking her, causing red marks on her neck. He then left the house. Cripps was later arrested and charged with domestic assault and brought to the jail for booking.
27 year old Shauna Faye Stringer of Tubbs Street, Liberty is charged with violation of bond conditions. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court June 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, June 7 Stringer violated an order of protection by having personal contact with a man at his home on Tubbs Street, whom she had allegedly assaulted previously. The order of protection became effective on May 30 after the assault was committed.
40 year old Chrissy Michelle Evans of West Main Street, Dowelltown is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court June 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, June 3, an officer responded to a report of a domestic incident at the Evans residence. During the investigation, the deputy spoke with Evans and her husband. Evans was determined to have been the primary aggressor in that she tried to keep her husband from leaving the home. During an altercation between the two, Evans allegedly scratched him. She was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
45 year old Bruce Allen Morton of East Bryant Street, Smithville is cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug (Subutex). He will be in court on June 26. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday June 7th, a deputy found a round white pill on Morton while placing him under arrest on a Cannon County warrant. The pill is believed to be Subutex.
19 year old Randy Lee Beechler of Eckles Heights, Liberty is cited for simple possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia (bong/pipe). He will be in court on June 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, June 3 a deputy was dispatched to Ekles Heights in Liberty to check out a complaint of a strong odor coming from the back rooms of the residence. The officer found the odor to be marijuana. The deputy went to the apartment, Beechler’s home, and received consent to search. Beechler was found to be in possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia (bong/pipe). Beechler admitted that these items belonged to him.
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