Laptop stolen as owner lured away from vehicle

Two men were charged with stealing a laptop computer from a vehicle after officers pieced together the case during a theft investigation and traffic stop Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

Jeffery Jonathan Flora, 30, Carter Street, and Charles Sebastian Slagel, 24, Horseshoe Drive, were charged with theft of property. Flora was also charged with burglary, DUI and driving on a suspended license and Slagel was additionally charged with criminal responsibility for conduct of another.

The victim told police the computer was stolen from his car while he and Slagel were in Dollar General Market, North Main Street, between 9:30-9:40 p.m.

Officer Jody Shelton said he heard Slagel calling someone to pick them up by the roadside. Shortly a man later identified as Flora drove up, was told about the laptop and asked if it was one he had seen a few minutes earlier, Shelton said.

A car occupied by Flora, Slagel and two persons who were not charged was stopped further out North Main early Wednesday by officer David Curley and 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force agent Shane George, who said he was aware Flora's license had been suspended for failure to pay child support.

George found the laptop between the car's front seats during a search for drugs or contraband, Curley said. Lt. Jason Williams arrived, noticed the computer matched the description of the one which had been stolen and summoned Shelton, who confirmed suspicions.

Under questioning at police headquarters Slagel admitted he knew Flora wanted to steal the laptop and arranged for the victim to be inside the store for a short time, Curley said.

The other persons in the car said Flora had picked them up as they walked alongside North Main and asked if they could get $100 for the computer.

Flora failed field intoxication tests and was taken to Bedford County Emergency Medical Service's operations center for a blood test, then directly to Bedford County Jail.

Jail intake

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

* Alejandro Moheco Bravo, 33, East Lane Street; no driver's license/exhibited on demand; released, $250 bond

* Herman Eugene Buttrey, 40, Pass Road; domestic assault; released, $2,500 bond

* Jeffrey Jonathan Flora, 30, Carter Street; DUI, driving on suspended license, burglary, theft of property; held, $8,500 bond

* April Gale Gipson, 33, Eady Road; driving on revoked/suspended license; released, $1,500 bond

* Lorie Johnson Hood, 20, Nashville; forgery (three counts), theft of property; released, $5,000 bond

* Miguel Angel Leon Mendoza, 18, Murfreesboro; no driver's license, financial responsibility; released, $1,000 bond

* James Norman Pollock Jr., 41, Wartrace-Bell Buckle Road; solicitation of a minor (two counts), producing/implementing/preparing/distributing obscene material, sexual exploitation of a minor (15 counts); held, $150,000 bond

* Jay Dalton Pope, 18, Perry Acres; driving on revoked/suspended license, financial responsibility; released, $1,500 bond

* Charles Sebastian Slagel, 24, Horseshoe Drive; criminal responsibility for conduct of another, theft of property; held, $2,500 bond