Flat Creek residents help catch burglary suspects

Inspecting recovered items taken from several homes in southern Bedford County are, from left, Sheriff Randall Boyce, Capt. Tony Barrett, Detective Sgt. Brian Farris and Deputy Jason Freeman. (T-G Photo by David Melson)

James Arthur Brown, 43, and Joe Brown, 20, who are both listed as residents of Forest Hills Apartments in Shelbyville, were arrested Wednesday while driving on New Hope Road. A 17-year-old girl was also charged.

"This one belongs to the Flat Creek community," Detective Sgt. Brian Farris of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department said. "After several burglaries in the area, one of the neighbors got a vehicle description. We got out in the area, talked to people and asked them to keep an eye out for a silver Saturn with front end damage."

Deputies were scouring the area Wednesday afternoon when a caller said a car matching the description had just left a Flat Creek convenience store.

"Another caller, on a cell phone, said they were behind the car on New Hope Road," Farris said. "Sheriff Randall Boyce was on New Hope Road, got behind the car and made a traffic stop. The rest of us went there as backup."

Initial visual inspection of the car's interior revealed several computers in the back seat, Farris said. Guns and a guitar were among other items found.

"They had a handheld scanner and were listening to us when we were looking for them," Farris said.

The items found in the car are believed to be from five burglaries. One may have occurred in Moore County, Farris said.

Two of the burglaries apparently occurred near Flat Creek during the day Monday.

Thomas Garner, Hilltop Road, said a 1 1/2 carat diamond horseshoe ring, pair of binoculars and box of rifle shells were stolen between 12:45 and 4:30 p.m.

A laptop computer and digital camera were taken from the Kimberly Bearden home on Bottle Hollow Road, where a neighbor obtained the description of the suspects' car.

Rocks were thrown through windows to gain entry to both homes.

Thefts

*The tailgate extender was stolen from the bed of a truck belonging to Tyson Foods employee Evinn Smith while he was at work between 2:15-8 p.m. Tuesday, Shelbyville police said.

*Vehicles belonging to Larry Merlo and Brady Gattis were burglarized overnight Wednesday at a Quarry Street residence.

A saw, cordless drill, tools and pressure washer were stolen, according to police.

Jail intake

The following persons were arrested since Tuesday 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.

*Kevin Ray Burnley, 49, Wartrace Pike; bondsman surrender-failure to appear; released on recognizance

*Thomas Allen Burton, 28, Nashville; driving on revoked/suspended license; released, $3,000 bond

*James Avery Crowell, 20, Barksdale Lane; violation of probation; held, $2,500 bond

*Jeremy Quentin Fishback, 20, Mullins Chapel Road; possession of schedule II drug (two counts), possession of schedule IV drug, possession of schedule VI drug, possession of a weapon; held, $45,000 bond

*Tabitha Carlene Goldberg, 51, U.S. 41-A North; bondsman surrender; held, $20,000 bond

*Christopher Shawn Holman, 19, Knoxville; forgery (two counts), violation of community corrections, criminal impersonation, bondsman surrender; held, no bond

*Christopher Ray King, 21, Lewisburg; assault; released, $1,000 bond

*Issac Shuron Knott, 27, Blue Ribbon Parkway; possession of a weapon, bondsman surrender; held, no bond

*James Thomas Love, 40, White Street; domestic assault; held, $5,000 bond

*Brandon James Mays, 23, Franklin; held for extradition on unspecified charge

*Juan Zacarias Mendoza, 28, Highland Court; violation of probation; released, $2,500 bond

*Rolanda Rochelle Nelson, 29, Dover Street; theft of property, credit card fraud, forgery; held, $80,000 bond

*Kimberly Renee Ocelot, 40, Railroad Avenue; theft of property; released, $500 bond

*Lisa Kay Ransom, 45, Frank Martin Road; violation of probation; released, $2,500 bond

*Christopher Evonn Rodriguez, 24, Woodland Avenue; DUI; released, $1,000 bond

*William Henry Smith Jr., 29, Lipscomb Street; public intoxication; released, $500 bond

*Gary Letron Thomison, 21, Anna Lane; violation of probation; held, no bond

*Emmett George Zelenka, 24, Lindbergh Lane; aggravated assault; released, $3,000 bond