Two Charged with Burglary and Theft of Property at Local Business

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has arrested two men in the recent burglary of a local business on Highway 70 east.
28 year old Matthew Malachi Lawson of Haley Road, Smithville and 29 year old Willie Ray Murphy of West Bryant Street, Smithville are charged with burglary and theft of property over $1,000 on Saturday, March 17. They were arrested on Friday, March 23. Bond for each is $10,000 and they will be in court on April 5.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, “Murphy went around to the side of the building (a business) and busted out a glass door. He then entered the business. While Murphy was in there, he took out some power tools for concrete work. Lawson, who brought Murphy to the business, sat in the vehicle and served as the lookout person. Lawson then left and later returned to pick up Murphy and the stolen equipment”.
59 year old Bobby Wright Washer of Gay Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on April 5.
Sheriff Ray reports that on Sunday, March 25 a deputy was dispatched to a vehicle which had run off the roadway on Highway 56. The officer arrived and saw that Washer’s truck was in the ditch. He had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. His speech was also very slurred. Washer performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks and he submitted to a blood test. Sheriff Ray said Washer admitted to drinking more than a six pack of beer.