A 21 year old McMinnville man who allegedly admitted to taking a Caterpillar front end loader for a joy ride has been arrested by the Sheriff’s Department.
Gregory Wayne Elliott of McMinnville is charged with vandalism and joy riding. His bond is $6,500 and he will be in court January 29.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Elliott admitted to taking the front end loader from a business in Liberty and then abandoning it in the roadway on Highway 53 on Thursday, January 15. As Elliott drove away from the business, the front end loader caused damaged to the front gate. Elliott was later found with two other people in an automobile at the intersection of Highway 53 and Main Street in Liberty. An officer spoke with Elliott and he allegedly admitted to taking the front end loader. He was arrested and brought to the sheriff’s department for booking. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.
Meanwhile, a Smithville woman who allegedly passed a forged check to a bonding company has been charged with forgery. 29 year old Melinda Beth Murphy of East Broad Street, Smithville is under a $40,000 bond and she will be in court January 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, January 9 Murphy passed a forged check in the amount of $500 to a bonding company to make bail for Molly Lawrence. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.
27 year old Molly Sue Lawrence of Highland Drive Smithville is charged with forgery. Her bond is $20,000 and she will be in court January 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, January 12 Lawrence was found with a check in her possession which belonged to someone else. The check was made out to Molly Lawrence in the amount of $350. According to Sheriff Ray, the victim did not give Lawrence the check nor permission to write one. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.
Both Murphy and Lawrence were arrested on separate forgery charges earlier this month.
18 year old Ronald Gutierrez of Smith Road, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court January 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, January 16 Gutierrez was observed by the School Resource Officer at DCHS sitting inside a vehicle on campus during school hours. Upon speaking with him, the SRO found that Gutierrez had an odor of marijuana on his person and his eyes were glazed. Gutierrez admitted to smoking marijuana and he was placed under arrest.
44 year old Royce Avon Foster of Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license (3rd offense), theft of property over $1,000, and burglary. His bond is $30,000 and he will be in court January 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, January 13 a deputy spotted Foster driving a vehicle on Jacobs Pillar Road. The officer had prior knowledge that Foster’s drivers license were revoked and that he has active warrants against him. The deputy made a traffic stop and a computer check confirmed that Foster’s license were revoked. He was brought to the jail for booking. In the burglary and theft cases, Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, January 12 Foster entered an outbuilding on Jacobs Pillar Road and took green wrought iron furniture, a Stihl weedeater, a weedeater blade, and a Chaise lounge all valued at approximately $1,090. The burglary and theft cases were investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.
48 year old Johnny Ramos of McMinnville is charged with a fourth offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $4,500 and he will be in court February 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, January 12 a deputy responded to a domestic complaint in which a man was reported to have left the scene in a white Ford van. While enroute, the officer spotted Ramos who was driving a van which fit the description. He made a traffic stop and learned that Ramos’ drivers license were revoked.
43 year old Scottie Dewayne Linder of Oak Drive, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence and possession of a handgun while under the influence. He was further issued a citation for driving on roadways laned for traffic. His bond is $6,500 and he will be in court March 5. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, January 15 a deputy was dispatched to Highway 56 north for a possible impaired driver. The officer spotted a vehicle crossing over the center line and into the opposite lane of travel. He made a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Linder. After obtaining consent to search the automobile, the deputy found a Glock 21 caliber pistol. Linder submitted to and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He also took a blood test. Linder was then placed under arrest.
47 year old Mark Allen Thomas of Woodbury is charged with public intoxication. He was further issued a citation for simple possession. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court January 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, January 15 a deputy responded to Short Mountain Highway in reference to an intoxicated man who was reported to be beating on the door of a residence. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the homeowner who identified a neighbor, Thomas as the person responsible. The deputy located Thomas and advised him not to be knocking on his neighbor’s doors. But before the officer left the area, Thomas started walking back toward his neighbor’s homes. The deputy again confronted Thomas. According to Sheriff Ray, Thomas allegedly threatened the deputy by reaching into his coat pocket and making the statement “You’re going to hate me for this”. Thomas was unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. For his safety and the safety of others, Thomas was placed under arrest. Two Klonopin pills, a schedule IV drug, were found in an unlabeled bottle in Thomas’ pocket.
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