Smithville Police have arrested two people for allegedly stealing several hundred pounds of copper from the supply yard of Smithville Electric System on Sunday, February 6th.
Chief Randy Caplinger said 27 year old Matthew Malachi Lawson and 23 year old Virginia Ruth Carrier are each charged with theft of property over $1,000. More arrests are expected in the case.
Detective Matt Holmes said that both Lawson and Carrier are charged with taking several hundred pounds of copper without consent from Smithville Electric Company’s supply yard located behind the building in a fenced-in area at 611 East Broad Street.. Some of the copper was taken to a local scrap yard where it was sold. The value of the copper taken is approximately $1,500.
Following an investigation, Detective Holmes, Chief Caplinger, Captain Steven Leffew, Corporal Travis Bryant, and Officer David Phillips went to Lawson’s home on Oak Street Wednesday, February 9th where they executed a search warrant.
Upon arrival, Detective Holmes said he knocked on the door and announced that the police were present. After receiving no answer, officers made entry through the front door. Four persons were inside the home. After a search of the premises outside, officers found a burn pile containing left over protective coating for copper and several big pieces of copper which was later positively identified as belonging to Smithville Electric System. Lawson showed up a short time later and was arrested. A van, which was believed to have been used in the felony was seized from the home.
Lawson is scheduled for another hearing in General Sessions Court on April 11th. Carrier’s court date is February 17th.
Meanwhile, in other crime news from the Smithville Police Department, Chief Caplinger reports that 28 year old Brandon Ross Bogle of Jefferson Road was arrested by Officer Matt Farmer on Monday, February 7th for violation of bond conditions. According to the warrant, Officer Farmer was at the Department of Children Services assisting a drug screen on Bogle. Mr. Bogle advised Officer Farmer he had a no contact order with his wife who was also present, therefore violating the conditions of the bond that he signed.
25 year old Jose Xalchy Rododrigvir of Fall Creek Road was arrested by Officer David Phillips for public intoxication on Monday, February 7th. According to the warrant, Officer Phillips responded to Kwik N Ezy to check out a complaint about someone who had passed out at one of the tables. Upon arrival Officer Phillips saw a man whose head was on the table. Several attempts were made to wake the man and after several minutes, he got up. He had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. Officer Phillips tried unsuccessfully to find a ride home for the man. Due to his intoxication and for his safety Mr. Rododrigvir was placed under arrest. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on March 10th.
Meanwhile, anyone with information on any offense is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
Any information received that will help the Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential
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