Officer Cindy Ferrell inspects the front end of the car driven by Gabriel Paul Dezotell which struck Bobby Joe Pope on North Cannon Boulevard early Saturday afternoon. Pope struck the car's windshield upon impact, police said. (T-G Photo by David Melson) [Click to enlarge]

A man well-known for his friendliness to customers in Big Springs Shopping Center stores was seriously injured when struck by a car Saturday while en route to the center from his nearby home.

Bobby Joe Pope, 71, Ridgeway Avenue, suffered severe head injuries when he walked in front of an oncoming car about 12:30 p.m., police said. He was in critical but stable condition later Saturday afternoon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Gabriel Paul Dezotell, 21, Mountain View Road, Bell Buckle, told police he saw Pope in the median and slowed while driving northbound on North Cannon Boulevard near the shopping center's west end. Pope, who police said was obscured from oncoming cars by shrubbery in the median, kept walking, Dezotell said.

Pope was "unresponsive," at the scene, responding officers said. Following initial treatment at Bedford County Medical Center he was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to the Nashville hospital, investigators said.

Caught in act

A suspect captured inside a Shelbyville shoe store early Saturday had attempted to break into another business earlier, police say.

Antonio D. White, 19, Lipscomb Street, was arrested at Freeman's Shoes, Madison Street, after Sgt. Rod Stacy saw two garbage cans in front of the building and noticed the front door's glass broken while on routine patrol shortly before 2 a.m.

Officer Sam Jacobs, who was helping Stacy search the premises, said he found White hiding behind a bathroom door.

White told officers he had been riding his bicycle around Shelbyville for much of the night and had earlier tried to break into the Chally Wally convenience store on North Main Street. A burglary alarm sounded as window glass shattered and White sped away on the bicycle, according to his statement to police,

Found in White's possession were 27 gold dollars, four $2 biulls, a silver certificate, a small amount of change from a cash drawer and a few pieces of jewelry, police said.

White was charged with burglary, theft of property, aggravated criminal trespassing and vandalism. He was being held on $13,500 bond Saturday at Bedford County Jail.

Almost caught in act

Two residents of U.S. 231 North near Deason said a man fled when approached while attempting to enter an outbuilding at the home of Dana Crocker at mid-afternoon Wednesday.

The man, described as age 25-30, white with brown hair and wearing a white t-shirt and ball cap, was driving a gold, newer-model Chevrolet Blazer, a report by Deputy Brian Farris said.

A neighbor reported the man stopped in front of the building and left after being spotted. He returned later, was confronted by an owner of the outbuilding and sped away in the Blazer.

It was uncertain when the report was made if any items had been taken, Farris said.

Thefts

A box containing $400 worth of beauty products was stolen from the front porch of a Scotland Heights home after being left by United Parcel Service, police said.

The package was taken between 11 a.m.-5 p.m. from the home of Shannon Renee Infante.

*The stereo system was taken from a car owned by Aqustin Ramirez Rosas of Green Lane at his home between noon- 5 a.m. Thursday.

Accident

A blown tire caused a Shelbyville woman to lose control of her car and strike a tractor-trailer and utiity pole at the North Main Street-Colloredo Boulevard intersection Wednesday, police said.

Betty S. Allen, 61, Union Street, was taken to Bedford County Medical Center following the 12:25 p.m. wreck.

The truck was driven by David R. Zelsdorf, 58, Boaz, Ala., who was listed by police as uninjured.

Clarification

The brand of vodka listed in Thursday's T-G as stolen from a Shelbyville home was Grey Goose, not Green Goose as listed.

The "Green" Goose reference was taken from a official police report.

Jail intake

The following persons were arrested since Wednesday by the Shelbyville Police Department, Bedford County Sheriff's Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol or 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force and processed through Bedford County Jail. They are only charged; guilt or innocence will be determined by the courts.

* Rondall Milton Douglas, 40, Castle Street; burglary-aggravated, theft of property, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, public intoxcation; held, $38,500 bond

* Nora Alica Arias, 35, Shelbyville Mills Road; no driver's license/exhibited on demand; released, $750 bond

* Michael Dominic Sales, 19, Austin Avenue; evading arrest; released, $4,000 bond

* Holly Ann Sanders, 19, Barksdale Lane; disorderly conduct; held, $1,500 bond

* Rick Thomas Humphreys, 22, Conquest Court, Unionville; held for Wilson County

* Paul Avery Gordon, 53, Carter Street; public intoxication; released, $500 bond

* Robert Anthony Harris, 19, Highway 82 South; violation of probation; released, $2,500 bond

* Betty Lou Freeman, 59, Lewis Avenue; violation check law; released, $250 bond

* Dorothy Jean Young, 72, Tullahoma; DUI; held, $2,500 bond