Smithville Police Make Arrest in Burglary and Theft Case

Smithville Police have charged a man in connection with the burglary and theft of a local residence after finding items from that home in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop last week.

Detective Matt Holmes has charged 27 year old Matt Lawson of 1243 Haley Road, Smithville with theft over $500 and aggravated burglary

K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow has also charged Lawson with possession of a schedule II and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance for resale.

Bond for Lawson is $8,500 and he will be in General Sessions Court on December 2nd

The investigation began after Detective Holmes and Officer Tatrow stopped Lawson on Bryant Street for a traffic violation on Monday, November 8th. Lawson was found to be in possession of illegal narcotics (Oxycontin and Xanax), drug paraphernalia, and stolen jewelry. These items were allegedly stolen from a residence on Greenwood Drive, Smithville during a burglary on Sunday, November 7th.

Items found in Lawson's possession have been positively identified by the victim as belonging to her.

Smithville Police say the investigation continues.

Sheriff's Department Finds Another Shake and Bake Meth Lab

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Department uncovered a shake and bake meth lab while assisting the Department of Children Services on a home visit last Monday, November 8th.

36 year old James Walton (J.W.) Goodman of Lowery Road, Smithville is charged with initiation of a process intended to result in the manufacture of methamphetamine

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, a deputy made the discovery while assisting the department of children services on a home visit at the Lowery Road residence, where Goodman was staying. An 18 year old who answered the door told authorities that his parents were not at home, and when asked, said the vehicles parked in the driveway belonged to Goodman, who was inside the house sleeping. The deputy asked the 18 year old to wake up Goodman and have him come outside. In the meantime, the officer noticed some clothes and bags piled up in Goodman's truck. When Goodman came outside, the deputy asked him if the truck belonged to him. He replied "yes" but that the vehicle was for sale. The officer and Goodman walked over to the truck and in plain view, the officer saw several mason jars in a black bag and a turkey baster in the seat. In the floor of the truck was a blue funnel, Coleman propane fuel, rubber gloves, and a two liter bottle containing a white substance. He also noticed a strong chemical smell coming from the vehicle. The officer searched further and found more components to make meth.

Goodman is under a $2,500 bond and he will be in court on November 18th.

A 41 year old man has been arrested by the Sheriff's Department after being found in possession of items taken from a vehicle parked at the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 7th.

Sheriff Ray said Robert (Bobby) Atnip, Jr. of Allen Ferry Road is charged with burglary and theft under $500. Atnip has also been issued two citations for simple possession, one citation for possession of drug paraphernalia, and a citation for driving on a suspended license.

According to Sheriff Ray, a deputy recently pulled over Atnip on a traffic stop and found on him, Xanax, Ambien, a needle, a container of water solution, and a straw. A computer check of his license revealed them to be suspended for numerous traffic violations. The deputy also noticed inside the vehicle, a basketball bag from DeKalb Middle School and a GPS unit, which were believed to have been stolen. Upon a further investigation, the deputy located the owner of the items found in Atnip's vehicle.

The burglary charge states that on Sunday, November 7th, Atnip allegedly entered a vehicle without the owner's consent with intent to commit a theft. The vehicle was parked at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on South College Street.

The theft charge states that Atnip allegedly took items from the vehicle including a GPS and a blue bag containing DeKalb Middle School girls basketball uniforms. The total value is $325.

Bond for Atnip is $6,500 and his court date is November 18th.

Meanwhile 33 year old Darryl Wayne Cantrell of Morgan Drive, Smithville was arrested on Monday, November 8th and charged with violation of parole, evading arrest, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Ray said a deputy stopped to do a welfare check on a vehicle he saw parked by the side of the road on Highway 53 in Liberty. Three people were inside, including Cantrell who was in the back seat. Suspecting that Cantrell had a parole violation against him, the officer called central dispatch to make sure. Cantrell, who got out of the vehicle, was instructed by the deputy to get back inside while he was answering dispatch. Cantrell started running. The officer called for Cantrell to stop but he refused. After chasing him on foot for about 60 yards, Cantrell was caught and placed under arrest.

Upon arrival at the jail, a pat down search was conducted on Cantrell and officers found in his front right pants pocket, a spoon and a used hypodermic needle wrapped in a paper towel.

Bond for Cantrell on the evading and drug paraphernalia charges is $3,500 and he will be in court November 18th. He is being held without bond on the violation of parole.

27 year old Tommy Lynn Parsley of Mount Juliet is charged with evading arrest and a sixth offense of driving on a suspended license. He is under a $6,000 bond.

Sheriff Ray said on Wednesday, November 3rd, a deputy saw Parsley operating a motor vehicle on Highway 70 west in the Snow Hill area. Having prior knowledge that his license were suspended, the officer activated his lights and siren but Parsley did not stop. The deputy followed Parsley for about three miles, before terminating the pursuit due to weather conditions and the speed of the pursuit which was 60-70 miles per hour. A computer check revealed that Parsley's license were suspended for failure to satisfy citations in Wilson County and Smith County.

Parsley was arrested on Monday, November 8th.

23 year old Auston Corey Wood of Dale Ridge Road, was arrested for theft of property under $500 on Monday, November 8th after he obtained the services of a tow truck operator to haul off a truck for scrap from property on the Cookeville Highway. But what the tow truck operator did not know was that Wood was actually stealing the truck. The value of the truck is $450. According to Sheriff Ray, Wood told the tow truck operator that he had bought the truck and that he wanted to haul it off to a scrap yard on the Cookeville Highway. The truck was already loaded on the wrecker and ready to go when officers arrived. But again, Sheriff Ray stressed that the tow truck operator had no knowledge that Wood was trying to steal the truck.

Bond for Wood is $2,500 and he will be in court on November 18th.

25 year old Stephen Hunter Pugh of Gassaway Road, Woodbury is charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on November 18th.

On Tuesday, November 9th while on routine patrol, Sheriff Ray said a deputy saw a female in the backseat of a vehicle on West Broad Street, Smithville. Having prior knowledge that the female had an active warrant against her, the deputy stopped the vehicle at a business on West Broad Street. Pugh was a passenger. The officer noticed Pugh putting something in his pocket. Pugh was asked to step out of the vehicle and to keep his hands out of his pockets, but he kept putting his hand in his right pocket. According to the officer, Pugh was combative. The deputy conducted a pat down search and found three syringes and a cut straw in Pugh's right pocket. He also found a pill bottle with water.

19 year old Matthew Anthony Murphy is charged with criminal trespassing. His bond is $1,000
and he will be in court on December 2nd.

Sheriff Ray said on Friday, November 12th, the DCHS school resource officer saw Murphy approaching the school from the adult high school area. According to the SRO, he and the assistant principals have told Murphy several times not to come onto the school property. No trespassing signs are posted and Murphy knew he was not to be there.

52 year old Edwin Dale Evans of Smith Road, Smithville is charged with a first offense of driving under the influence. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on December 2nd.

On Saturday, November 13th, a deputy was called to check out a possible impaired driver. Dispatch reported that the vehicle was all over the roadway. The officer got behind the automobile on Broad Street, Smithville and saw the vehicle cross the yellow line several times. After stopping the vehicle and speaking to the driver, Evans, the deputy noticed that his speech was slurred. Evans was asked to perform several field sobriety tasks. He performed poorly. Evans was also unsteady on his feet and he had poor motor skills. Evans admitted to taking Xanax about 30 minutes prior to the stop. He submitted to a blood alcohol content test.