An 18 year old man is facing theft charges after Smithville Police pulled him over for a traffic offense and found the vehicle he was driving to be stolen out of Warren County. A further investigation revealed he had also allegedly stolen a bicycle.
John Thomas Mason has been charged with two counts of theft. Chief Randy Caplinger said Sergeant Brad Tatrow recently spotted someone in a green Toyota Camry, not wearing a seatbelt, who made an illegal turn. Sergeant Tatrow made a traffic stop and found that the driver, Mason was unlicensed and had no proof of insurance. Upon checking the auto tag through Central Dispatch, it was discovered the vehicle was stolen out of Warren County. Mason was placed under arrest for theft of property.
Meanwhile, Mason was identified as a suspect in another theft after Officer Joey Myers took a complaint from a resident on Wednesday, August 28 reporting that a bicycle along with some other items had been stolen. Also, Captain Steven Leffew had received some calls about a young man (Mason), driving a Toyota Camry, who was randomly trying to sell a camera to several persons. Police checked his automobile and found a camera and gas card belonging to DeKalb EMA. Detective Brandon Donnell conducted an inquiry and it was determined that Mason had taken the bicycle reported stolen on August 28. Mason was arrested for both thefts. Bond for Mason is $3,000 and he will be in court on September 26.
In other cases, 28 year old Stephanie Ann Long was arrested for criminal trespassing on Saturday, August 3. According to the warrant, K-9 Officer James Cornelius was dispatched to Wal-Mart where he arrested Long for criminal trespassing. Ms. Long had previously been notified to stay off the Wal-Mart property and she had signed the written notice issued to her at that time. On August 3, security video showed Ms. Long on the property in the parking lot approaching customers. Her bond is $1,500.
43 year old Robert Roy Atnip was recently cited for simple possession. Sergeant Brad Tatrow was dispatched to Green Brook Park to check on a possible intoxicated person. Sergeant Tatrow recovered from Atnip a round pill container which held several pills.
60 year old Ross H Stiver Jr. was arrested on Tuesday, August 6 for driving on a revoked license. Stiver was operating a motor vehicle when he was spotted by Officer Joey Myers pulling into a parking lot. Upon getting out of the vehicle, Stiver was unsteady on his feet. Officer Myers did a welfare check to make sure he wasn’t intoxicated. A computer check revealed his license were revoked for a DUI. Bond for Stiver is $1,500 and he will be in court on September 25.
21 year old Joshua Lee Anderson was arrested for public intoxication on Thursday, August 8. Anderson was a passenger of a vehicle involved in an accident. Corporal Travis Bryant arrived on the scene to investigate and found Anderson outside the vehicle. His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Bond for Anderson is $1,500.
48 year old Deborah Lynn France was recently cited for theft of property. Corporal Travis Bryant responded to Rite Aid Pharmacy to investigate a possible shoplifter. Ms. France allegedly attempted to leave the store without paying for merchandise in her possession.
19 year old Jessica Lynn Counts was arrested for public intoxication on Wednesday, August 14. Officer Will Judkins was dispatched to South Mountain Street to do a welfare check and found Counts sitting on the sidewalk. Ms Counts had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on her person and she was unsteady on her feet. Bond for Counts is $1,500.
31 year old Lori Ann Lewis was arrested for forgery on Friday, August 16. Detective Brandon Donnell responded to Johnny’s Drugs where he spoke with Lewis concerning a doctor’s prescription that had been altered. Bond for Lewis is $5,000.
55 year old Forrest Byrd was arrested for a third offense of DUI on Saturday, August 17. Captain Steven Leffew was dispatched to Dry Creek Road where Byrd had been involved in a one car accident. Byrd had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. He was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. A computer check revealed two prior DUI’s against Byrd. Bond for Byrd is $5,000.
32 year old Misty Dawn Brandon was arrested for theft on Thursday, August 22. Brandon, an employee of Advanced Auto Parts allegedly falsified a return of a battery and kept the money. Bond for Brandon is $1,500 and she will be in court on September 26.
57 year old Diane Lynn Kemp was arrested for DUI on Monday, August 26. Corporal Travis Bryant responded to Green Brook Park to check on someone reported to be possibly intoxicated. Corporal Bryant noticed Kemp had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on her person. Her speech was slurred and she was unsteady on her feet. Kemp submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Bond for Kemp is $1,500 and she will be in court on September 12.
26 year old Dustin Burgess was arrested for a second offense of driving on a suspended license on Friday, August 30. Corporal Travis Bryant spotted Burgess operating a motor vehicle. Having prior knowledge of outstanding warrants against Burgess, Corporal Bryant stopped him and a computer check confirmed his license were suspended in Jackson County. Burgess has a prior conviction against him for driving on a suspended license. Bond for Burgess is $5,000 and he will be in court on September 12.
K-9 Officer James Cornelius recently arrested 23 year old Mark Christopher Davenport for DUI. Davenport was operating a motor vehicle when he was stopped for speeding. Davenport had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. He was unsteady on his feet and he submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Bond for Davenport is $1,500 and he will be in court September 12.
29 year old Jessica Taylor Lane was cited for theft of property on Sunday, September 1. Corporal Travis Bryant responded to Rite Aid Pharmacy where Lane allegedly attempted to take several items from the store without paying for them. She will be in court on September 12.
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