Smithville Police have made more burglary and drug arrests this week and also nabbed a man wanted in Oklahoma.
Chief Thomas J. Stufano says ” On Monday, November 27th, Smithville Police arrested 30 year old Jennifer McKissack of 740 Walker Drive for her participation in a burglary at the apartments where she resided. Smithville Police Detectives had arrested her husband and step-brother earlier in the week for burglarizing numerous apartments in their building.”
“The investigation revealed that McKissack had tried to conceal further involvement by discarding some of the stolen items that had been hidden in her residence. Detectives had seen the items in the house earlier but were unaware that the items had been recently stolen.”
“An array of items had been stolen from neighbors that ranged from children’s school candy to jewelry, kitchen utensils, shoes, games, and prescription drugs.”
McKissack was booked into the DeKalb County Jail for Criminal Intent for her participation in the burglaries. Her bond was set at $1,000.
Meanwhile, Chief Stufano says “On Wednesday, November 29th, Smithville Police Officers responded to a local business located in the area of Highway 70 and North Mountain Street in answer to a reported suspicious incident complaint. A concerned citizen notified police that a possible drug action was taking place between occupants of two parked vehicles.”
“Upon arrival, officers contacted the occupants of the vehicles and discovered that one of the parties, 28 year old Aron Ponder of 7851 Old Mill Road, Dowelltown, was in possession of illegal narcotics and assorted drug paraphernalia. Ponder was also suspected of being under the influence while in physical control of a motor vehicle.”
Ponder was arrested for driving under the influence (2nd offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, and simple possession of illegal narcotics and booked into the DeKalb County Jail with a bond set at $5,500. His vehicle was impounded and seized under the State’s Forfeiture Act.
Chief Stufano says 29 year old Darryl Cantrell of 3659 Allen Bend Road, Smithville was also arrested in the same incident. Officers discovered that Cantrell was trying to hide a syringe in the grille of a police car as he exited Ponder’s vehicle. When asked to keep his hands in plain sight, Cantrell refused to show the officers his hands as he backed up to the front of the cruiser. Once the syringe was left in the grille, Cantrell then showed his hands to the officer. He was immediately arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and booked into the DeKalb County Jail with a bond of $2,500.
Also on Wednesday, November 29th, Smithville Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of West Main Street to a reported animal complaint. Upon arrival, officers contacted a male, now known as 22 year old James Christopher Moore of Garland Drive, Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Upon initial investigation of the animal complaint, Smithville Police Officers were able to determine that Moore was currently using an ID of another Tennessee resident, whom he did not know. His true identity was eventually determined but a warrants check through the National Crime Computer was unavailable due to a system maintenance. An alert 911 dispatcher working the Operations Center was able to obtain the information needed and immediately notified Smithville Police that Moore was wanted by Oklahoma authorities on a No-Bond Felony warrant. This action enabled police to immediately arrest Moore and book him into the DeKalb County Jail. Oklahoma law enforcement have advised that they will extradite Moore back to Oklahoma.
Chief Stufano says the growing support of the community in helping police identify suspicious activity within the city has resulted in significant arrests of subjects involved in illegal activity. Crime Watch and prevention works and the citizens efforts are greatly appreciated.
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