A 38 year old Liberty man has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and felony vandalism after his car crashed into posts supporting a walkway canopy, cut down a small tree, and then hit the brick exterior of the cafeteria’s outdoor dining area at DCHS early Sunday morning
Lieutenant Steven Leffew of the Smithville Police Department says Steven Blake Goad is under a $6,500 bond and his court date is October 7th.
According to police, Goad called 911 early Sunday morning to report that his car, which he said was stolen, had been wrecked at the high school. Goad later changed his story, telling police that he had been driving west on Highway 70 when he went to sleep and hit the high school. When Smithville Police Officer Matt Farmer arrived at the school at 4:49 a.m. he found the car, a 2002 Buick, abandoned at the scene of the crash. There was front end damage to the car, including the hood, fenders, and windshield.
According to Officer Farmer’s report, it appeared “the angle the car hit the school was in line from the main entrance from the football field. The vehicle hit two posts holding up the terrace (canopy), then hit a brick wall, stopping the vehicle. Extensive damage was done to the terrace (canopy). There was no other noticeable damage to the school.”
Goad was picked up in Liberty by a county deputy and returned to the scene to give a statement to police. According to Officer Farmer’s report, Goad said that “he fell asleep and did not remember how he crashed, but when he did he called his wife to come get him. Goad’s wife, Cindy, stated that he (Goad) called her at 4:07 a.m. asking her to come get him at the high school because he had crashed the car.”
Goad then placed his first call to 911 reporting the crash at 4:38 a.m.
Meanwhile in other recent city crime news, an off duty state trooper helped nab a would be thief at a local restaurant on Friday, September 17th.
Smithville Police say 38 year old Phillip John Carroll of Possum Hollow, accused of taking money from an unattended cash register at Peking Restaurant, was apprehended on site, thanks to Trooper Darrell Knowles, who was in the restaurant eating dinner at the time.
Carroll is charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, stop frisk and halt and theft over $500.
Officer Scott Davis was dispatched to Peking Restaurant and upon arrival he made contact with Trooper Knowles who had Carroll restrained on the ground outside the restaurant. Officer Davis assisted Trooper Knowles in placing Carroll under arrest. Carroll kept pulling his hands underneath his body in an attempt to keep the officers from placing handcuffs on him. Once Carroll was arrested Officer Davis spoke to Trooper Knowles who stated that he was eating when he saw Carroll open the cash register and start removing money from the till. Trooper Knowles stated that Carroll covered the register with a menu as he took the money and placed it in his front pockets. Trooper Knowles stated that he identified himself, showing Carroll his state issued identification and then asked Carroll if he worked there. Carroll replied “yea” or words to that effect. Trooper Knowles asked Carroll to wait but he took off out the door. Trooper Knowles followed him out the door and took him to the ground, holding him there until police arrived. Carroll had an odor of an alcoholic beverage about his breath at the time of his arrest. Bond for Carroll is $8500 and his court date is September 30th.
29 year old Corey Wade Thomas of Sparta Highway was arrested on Saturday, September 18th for simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance. Corporal Travis Bryant was called to a location on East Main Street where a man had reportedly entered someone’s house at random. After speaking to the homeowner and getting a description of the man, Corporal Bryant found him walking on Smith Road. While talking with the man, Thomas, Corporal Bryant saw him remove a pill from his left pocket and drop it to the ground. The pill was recovered and Thomas was placed under arrest. Bond for Thomas is $1,500 and his court date is September 30th.
48 year old James Allen Hargrave of Old Bildad Road was arrested on Monday, September 20th for a second offense of driving under the influence and a second offense of driving on a suspended license. Corporal Travis Bryant was going home when he got behind a vehicle on Bright Hill Road which was traveling in and out of his lane, almost striking another vehicle head on. While following the vehicle, Corporal Bryant began flashing his headlights signaling the driver to pull over. After making the traffic stop, Corporal Bryant discovered that the driver, Hargrave, had a revoked license. He also noticed Hargrave had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Hargrave, who refused to submit to field sobriety tests, stated that he was drunk and that he had consumed over twelve beers.
50 year old Victor G Gingerich of Liberty was arrested on Wednesday, September 22nd for a third offense of driving on a suspended license. Corporal Travis Bryant reports that Gingerich was operating a motor vehicle and he was stopped for having the wrong tags on his vehicle. A computer check by central dispatch revealed his license to be suspended. Bond for Gingerich is $3000 and his court date is September 29th.
25 year old Jordan Thomas Adams and 20 year old Leah Marie Grandstaff both of Game Ridge Road were arrested on Thursday, September 23rd for public intoxication. Corporal Travis Bryant, Officer Brad Tatrow, and Deputy Jeremy Taylor were called to McDonald’s restaurant in response to a complaint of two intoxicated persons there. Upon arrival the officers made contact with Adams and Grandstaff who appeared to be unsteady on their feet and had slurred speech. Bond for each is $1000 and they will be in court October 14th.
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