A Smithville man, allegedly involved in a hit and run, was arrested Saturday night after he sideswiped a patrol car while trying to get away in his car and then had to be forced off the road by the officer in pursuit.
49 year old Robert “Bobby” Turner of Smithville is charged with a second offense of DUI, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, evading arrest, and reckless endangerment. Total bond was set at $21,500 and his court date is June 19th. Turner also received a
citation for violation of the implied consent law.
A warrants check on Turner also revealed that he was wanted on outstanding charges in Conway, South Carolina for a failure to appear on a 2nd degree burglary charge. The Sheriff’s Department will also be seeking a Fugitive from Justice warrant here in DeKalb County.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says DeKalb County Central Dispatch, at 5:28 p.m. Saturday, received a call
about a hit and run driver at the intersection of Dry Creek Road and Game Ridge Road, Smithville. The caller stated that someone had hit their vehicle and a male subject who was driving, gave the caller an insurance card and then fled the scene. A county deputy, Roger Whitehead, spotted the hit and run vehicle at the intersection of Short Mountain Road and Whorton Springs Road. Deputy Whitehead was able to get the vehicle stopped and as he
approached the car, Officer Whitehead noticed the driver of the vehicle, Robert “Bobby” Turner, appeared to be under the influence. Deputy Whitehead asked Turner to turn the engine
off but Turner cursed at him. In an attempt to turn the vehicle off before Turner could drive off, Officer Whitehead reached in the vehicle but Turner said he was leaving and pulled off. Officer Whitehead then returned to his car in an attempt to pull Turner over again.
Trooper Shannon Brinkley, who investigated the sideswiping incident, said Officer Whitehead got in pursuit and tried to pass Turner’s car on Whorton Springs Road to get him stopped, but Turner intentionally sideswiped Whitehead’s patrol car. According to Trooper Brinkley, Officer Whitehead, in order to stop Turner and in the interest of public safety, used his patrol car to force Turner’s vehicle off the road. Turner’s car went through a wire fence and stopped in a field off the road. Turner was taken into custody. Trooper Brinkley said Officer Whitehead did what he had to do under the circumstances. No one was injured.
33 year old Misty Lee Felton of Young Ridge Road, Smithville was charged Tuesday with a first offense of driving while intoxicated. Sheriff Ray says deputies responded to an automobile accident near Felton’s residence. Officers administered field sobriety tasks which she failed. Bond for Felton was set at $1,500 and she will appear in court on June 12th.
36 year old Don Diamond Groshon of Cookeville Highway was extradited Wednesday on a sealed indictment from the April Grand Jury. Sheriff Ray says Groshon was indicted on a charge of hindering secured creditors over $10,000.00. Groshon was stopped in Stephens County, Georgia for a traffic violation and upon a warrants check by that Department; he was arrested on the DeKalb County charge. Groshon’s bond was set at $10,000.00 and his court date is June 6th.
43 year old Joseph John Muse of Short Mountain Highway was arrested Thursday for a second offense of driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license. Sheriff Ray says deputies responded to a domestic call on Highway 70 East. While officers were enroute, the complainant advised that the individuals had left and provided a description of the vehicle. Upon a stop of the vehicle, Muse was found to be intoxicated and had a suspended driver’s license. Muse was also written a citation for violation of the implied consent law after he refused an alcohol/blood test. Bond for Muse was set at $4,000 and his court date is June 19th.
Sheriff Ray says deputies also noticed in Muses’ vehicle a lot of new craftsman tool. A
county detective was then contacted. Detectives learned that Muse and a female went to the Sears store in Warren County and wrote several large checks for 3 refrigerators, 3 air conditioners, 2 television sets, 3 tool boxes, a zero turn lawn mower, and a large amount of hand tools.
Local detectives were able to recover most of the items in DeKalb County. Warren County Detectives will be seeking other charges there.
Meanwhile, on Saturday 45 year old Brain Scott Cannon of Peeled Chestnut Road, Sparta was
arrested for a third offense of driving under the influence. Deputies responded to an automobile accident on Wright Bend Road and found Cannon to be under the influence. Cannon submitted to field sobriety tasks which he failed. Cannon was arrested and bond was set at $4,500. He will be in court June 12th
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