Sheriff's

 

 

Nunchucks used to bust out car window

A man was allegedly seen by Deputy Sheriff Joseph Owingsin the parking lot of Save-A-Lot parking lot at 1043 Cosby Highway jumping outof a Dodge Neon with a pair of nunchucks and using them to bust out the reardriver side window of a Thunderbird. A victim and infant boy were allegedly inthe Thunderbird at the time, according to Owings' report. Officers reportedlyfound a pair of nunchucks and kept them as evidence.

 

Aggravated assault charge and arrest

Bryan K. Williams, 18, of 771 Deer Ridge Road, inNewport, was arrested Wednesday, July 1, at Eastport Exxon at about 2:20 a.m.,and charged with aggravated assault. Williams allegedly pursued, in a HondaAccord, a 17-year-old juvenile as he left Fred's parking lot. Williams pulledalongside the juvenile in his car. A passenger in Williams' Honda allegedlybegan screaming and waving their fist. A chase ensued and at one point,Williams' vehicle sideswiped the victim's vehicle, causing minor damage. Italso allegedly rear-ended the juvenile's car as the two drivers chased and ranfrom one another, according to a report by Sgt. Armando Fontes.

 

Arrest follows alleged disturbance

Joshua Laws, 30, of 1641 Shale Road, in Newport, wasarrested Tuesday, June 30, at about 10:30 p.m. and charged with domesticassault and public intoxication. The victim alleged that Laws choked her andthreatened to kill her. Sgt. Armando Fontes found slight red marks on thevictim's neck and a wet blouse allegedly from Laws throwing a glass of Spriteon her. A relative of the victim allegedly witnessed Laws hitting the victim onher shoulder with an interior door. Both Laws and the victim had been drinking,and Laws was "obviously intoxicated," according to Fontes' report.

 

Arrest in domestic assault

Paul Gabrylczyk, 38, was arrested and charged withaggravated domestic assault on Tuesday, June 30, after he allegedly pushed avictim at her residence on Old Sevier Highway. The victim fell, hit her headand had "injuries to her person," according to a report by Lt.Richard Caldwell. The suspect had also been drinking just before his arrest,the report stated.

 

Three arrests at Cocke Estates

Shannon Mantooth, 32, of 1378 Five Way, in Newport, andothers were arrested Tuesday, June 30, and charged with public intoxication anddisorderly conduct. Mantooth and others were found outside Building 11 in CockeEstates "screaming and yelling and trying to start a fight,"according to a report by Deputy Sheriff Robert Thornton. Several residents inBuilding 11 woke up because of the commotion, the report stated. Mantooth had astrong odor of alcohol about her person, was unsteady on her feet, and hadbloodshot eyes. It was allegedly the second fight call police received duringthe same night at Building 11. Thornton wrote, "If she (Mantooth) was notarrested and the others arrested, there would have been more fights." Alsoarrested: Jacqueline B. Hall, 19, and charged with underage consumption anddisorderly conduct; and Miranda Seay, 22, charged with public intoxication,disorderly conduct, and a capias out of Circuit Court.

 

Aggravated assault alleged

Lawrence Back, 49, of 626 Bat Harbor Road, in Newport,was arrested Monday, June 29, and charged with aggravated assault.  Officers were dispatched to the BaptistHospital of Cocke County emergency room where they spoke with the allegedvictim, Timothy Wayne Miller, according to a report by Deputy Sheriff JosephOwings. Back allegedly grabbed Miller as he backed out of a driveway, took himaround a truck and off a small embankment where Miller got tangled in barbwire.Back also allegedly struck Miller "multiple times" in the head andface with a stick. He also allegedly kicked Miller in the face and back. Backallegedly picked up a rock and told Miller he would kill him. Someone elseintervened and Miller said he got up and went to his truck and left theresidence, went home, and then to the hospital.

 

Two-vehicle accident on Highway 321 near Hooper Highway

Thomas E. Benson, 23, of 1960 Middle Way, in Cosby, wasdriving a 1995 Ford Ranger on Saturday, June 20, when he stopped in thenorthbound lane of Highway 321 near Hooper Highway for a vehicle in front ofhim that was making a left turn, according to a report by Deputy Sheriff TonyBailey. Caleb N. Ellison, 19, of 1586 DePaul Road, in Newport, was drivingbehind Benson in a 1999 Saturn SLI. Ellison told the deputy sheriff that heapplied his brakes, but could not stop in time, and rear-ended the Ford Ranger,according to Bailey's report.

 

Alleged speeding car collides with other vehicle

Candy L. Webb, 22, of 3138 Deer Circle, in Del Rio, wasallegedly driving a 1996 Chevrolet headed east on Highway 25/70 near Rock HillRoad at a high rate of speed on Saturday, June 20, and struck from behind by a1998 Chevrolet Lumina driven by Wade B. Griffith, 40. Webb was cited forreckless driving, following improperly, financial responsibility law, anddriving without a license.

 

Accident on I-40 blamed on hydroplaning

Howard I. Whitlock, 59, of 4436 Trail Hollow, in Cosby,was driving a 2005 Ford F150 on Sunday, June 21, in the left lane on Interstate40 headed east, at mile marker 450 when he allegedly drove through somestanding water that caused his vehicle to hydroplane, according to a report byDeputy Sheriff Tony Bailey. Whitlock lost control of his vehicle and hit aconcrete barrier that caused damage to the front left side of the vehicle,according to the report.

 

Single vehicle accident on Highway 25E

Debra J. Hale, 39, of 630 Village Way, Newport, wasdriving a 1996 Honda northbound on Highway 25E on Monday, June 22, around 9:15a.m., according to a report by Deputy Sheriff Brian Holt. She lost control ofher vehicle while negotiating a curve near Ray's Chapel Road, crossed the road,struck the end of a guardrail, went down an embankment, and came to rest in aditch, Holt's report said. Hale was injured and transported by the NewportRescue Squad to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County.

 

Break-in alleged

Olin Hall, 79, of Highway 3, told Deputy Sheriff TonyBailey that on Monday, June 15, he went to bed around 11 p.m. The next day at 1p.m. he noticed his barn was broken into and several items taken, including anew 20-foot ladder, a new small tiller, an air compressor, and a new six-footladder. Total value of the stolen items was $605, Bailey's report stated.

 

Father allegedly pushed 7-year-old son to the ground

A seven-year-old told his mother that while on a campingtrip at a campground in Cosby, on Sunday, June 21, his dad grabbed him by thecollar and pushed him to the ground. The father was allegedly angry over asleeping bag his son was using, according to a report by Deputy Sheriff SteveJohnson.

 

Theft from vehicle

Kevin Perrigan, 45, of Carson Springs Road, said thatsometime after 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, and 3 p.m. on the following day,someone entered his unlocked 2004 Nissan Xterra parked at the Carson SpringsBaptist Conference Center and stole a DVD player with a case, a GPS unit, ablack CD case, and a DVD case with 13 movies, according to a report by Sgt.Daniel Conard.

Perrigan, the Center's manager, also said that sometimebetween Saturday, June 20 and Monday, June 22, someone stole a dorm size, whiterefrigerator and an AT&T dual cordless phone, together worth $195.

 

Items believed stolen during large get-together at home

Sherry Cameron, 41, of Robert E. Lee Drive, said severalitems were stolen during a large gathering at her home on Sunday, June 21, fromnoon to 6 p.m. Reported stolen was a Canon digital camera, rolled quarters, andvarious medications, according to a report by Sgt. David Crum.

 

Alleged threat to kill dog

Elizabeth Blazer, of 2370 Lafollette Road, inParrottsville, told Deputy Sheriff Travis Webb that on Monday, June 22, anindividual in the neighborhood threatened to kill her dog in retaliation forthe dog killing his chicken. The dog apparently was not on a chain or fenced inwhen the chicken was killed.

 

Vehicle found burned

Constable McRee recovered a Jeep off Watermill Road onTuesday, June 23. The Jeep's tires and rims had been taken off before it wasburned. The Jeep had been reported stolen by the Pigeon Forge Police Departmenton Sunday, June 11, according to McRee's report.

 

Vandalism alleged

Sabrina Jones, 23, of 3536 Mill Creek Road, in Hartford,said a relative she had a verbal fight with allegedly broke two candle holders,six cups, and an ash tray, and put trash in her sink, while Jones was brieflyabsent from her home on Tuesday, June 23.

 

Theft from garage alleged

Danny Grooms, 45, of Baxter Road, said that on Tuesday,June 23, someone entered his unlocked garage and took several items, includinga Mac air impact wrench, a Snap-on air impact wrench, a Mac air grinder with acutting wheel, an Ingersol air impact wrench, a Snap-on hammer, a Snap-on airratchet, a Snap-on hand ratchet, and various hand tools and wrenches. He putthe total value of the stolen items at $1,450.

 

Attempted break-in alleged

Ed Rigsby, 56, of Homewood Way, in Newport, told Sgt.Ricky Holt that on Tuesday, June 23, he returned home and saw where someone hadtried to force open a back window to his home. The window frame was bent.

 

Phone harassment alleged

Sharon King, 36, of Highway 321, went to the Sheriff'sDepartment on Tuesday, June 16, to report harassment. She stated that betweenthe end of May and June 16, an individual had sent over 100 text messages. Themessages ranged from sexually explicit to threatening in nature. She saidanother relative had received similar messages from the individual, accordingto a report by Jason Oury. King and the relative said they are in fear of theindividual, Oury's report stated. In a separate report, two other people saidthey received similar messages from midnight on Monday, June 15, to about 2:30p.m. on the next day. They also said they are in fear of the individual.

 

Aggravated burglary alleged

John Cutshaw, 46, of Old Sevierville Highway, said thaton Tuesday, June 16, around 4 p.m., someone forced his front door open and tookmedication, a 22-Magnum handgun, and four pocket knives, according to a reportby the Cocke County Sheriff's Department.

 

Deer allegedly ran into moving vehicle

Brenda Ottinger, 39, of Goodwater Road, said that onSunday, June 21, about 8 a.m., while she was driving south on Airport Road, adeer ran into the side of her 2003 Dodge Caravan van, causing damage to thepassenger side, front quarter panel, a door, and a side view mirror, accordingto a report by Deputy Sheriff Jason Oury.

 

Vehicle allegedly backed into another vehicle in driveway

Robert D. Wiliams, 49, of 1279 Moonglow Way, in Newport,said he accidentally backed his 2006 Ford pickup truck into a 2005 Honda CRVthat was also parked in his driveway. No one was in the vehicle that was hit.

 

Tampering with mail in a mail box alleged

Tom Huey, 59, of 448 Barger Hollow Road, inParrottsville, said on Saturday, June 20, that someone has been getting intohis mailbox, ripping open the mail, and putting it back in. He said this hashappened three times, most recently on June 19, according to a report by DeputySheriff Hollis Emmons.

 

Two pit bulls allegedly kill other dog

Casey Mayes, 22, of 181 Raccoon Valley Road, said that onSunday, June 21, two pit bulls came onto her property and attacked Mayes' dog,killing it. The dogs also allegedly attempted to bite Mayes and herfour-year-old daughter, Talaylee Mayes, according to a report by Deputy SheriffJason Oury.

 

Deer allegedly hit by vehicle

Starr M. Ball, 44, of 135 Pat's Chapel Road, in Newport,said she was driving a 2003 Dodge Durango SUV east on Highway 25 E on Thursday,June 25, when around 6:30 p.m. a deer allegedly ran out and hit the vehicle,according to a report by the Cocke County Sheriff's Department.

 

Burglary and theft over $1,000 alleged

David Norris, 31, of 922 Highway 73, in Newport, saidthat on Friday, June 26, at around 9 a.m. he discovered someone had broken intohis storage shed and stolen several items. Reported stolen were a Craftsmantool box with tools, two Featherlite weed eaters, a push mower, four fishingrods, an 18- to 20-foot extension ladder, a Black & Decker circular saw, aPoulan weed eater, a Poulan chain saw, and two five-gallon gas cans. Norrisplaced the total value of stolen items at $1,040.

 

 

 

Police

 

Vandalism alleged

A manager at Family Inns of America, located at 1025Cosby Highway, in Newport, reported that on Saturday, June 27, at about 3:30a.m., a 37-year-old woman and 35-year-old man came to the front desk from theirroom and asked the manager if they could swim in the motel's pool. They appearedintoxicated, had beers in their hands, and were naked, according to a report byPatrolman Amy Elswick. After the manager said they could not swim in the pool,she allegedly saw them jump over a fence and get into the pool. One of thesuspects told police they had asked the manager if they could swim, and whenshe said no, they returned to their room. The manager allegedly told Elswickshe wanted the suspects evicted from their room. Damage to the fence wasestimated at $500.

 

Two-vehicle accident

A 1992 Isuzu Amigo driven by Justin P. Shropshire, 17, of2120 Smelcer Road, in Parrottsville, allegedly struck a 1998 Infiniti I30driven by Melissa L. Fletcher, 41, of 405 Silverwalk Way, in Newport, onThursday, June 25, at about noon. The accident occurred on College Street nearMims Avenue, according to Patrolman Justin Vinson's report. Vinson wrote thatthe Isuzu struck the Infiniti in the passenger side doors after the twovehicles came to an intersection at the same time.

 

Accident on Interstate 40 off-ramp

Charles Parker, 49, of 440 Highway 411, in Newport, wasdriving a 1998 Toyota Sienna van on Thursday, June 25, at about 6:45 p.m. onthe Interstate 40 off ramp at mile marker 435, at Highway 321 South, when hestopped for a red light, according to a report by Patrolman Derek Wright. WhenParker started to pull out, he stopped again for an oncoming vehicle, thereport stated. At that time, a 2006 Ford Explorer SUV driven by Robin Gourley,47, of 111 Seven Peaks Road, in Newport, allegedly struck the Toyota van in therear.

 

Hit-and-run alleged

Ray Edwin Surrett, 45, of Asheville, N.C., parked his2003 Chevrolet in the Lowe's parking lot on Saturday, June 7, near thecommercial door entrance to the store. When Surrett returned to his vehicle, hesaw a scratch on his hood and a cracked windshield, according to Patrolman AmyElswick's report. Surrett said he believed someone backed into his vehicle.Lowe's manager, however, reportedly could not find the collision recorded onvideo by the store, Elswick's report stated.

 

Nintendo Wii reported stolen

Tracy Hill, 28, of Filbert Street, in Newport, said thaton Monday, June 22, she returned home and found her Nintendo Wii was missing. Awindow was open in her basement and the door to the basement was open, she toldPatrolman Jason Hensley. The game, accessories, and assorted jewelry werevalued at $520.

 

Assault alleged

Betty Ellis, 34, of 175 Tabor Street, in Newport, allegedthat on April 15, she was assaulted. Sgt. Jason Smith wrote in his report thathe found Ellis bleeding from the mouth and nose. She said she got into anargument with an individual who became hostile and started striking her in theface and head with a closed fist. She said she tried to get away and begged theindividual to stop.

 

Assault in group home alleged

A woman, aged 52, who lives in a group home, said anotherresident assaulted her by hitting her in the face twice, throwing feces at herand down the hallway. The individual allegedly began tearing off his clothesand punched a hole in the bathroom wall. Patrolman Justin Vinson also wrote inhis report that the individual tried to bite the woman without his teeth, butwas unsuccessful. The individual was warned of possible jail time if heassaults anyone again. He reportedly told the officer he would be good andwouldn't cause any more problems.

 

Forged prescription alleged

CVS employees said an individual came into the store at346 Cosby Highway on Thursday, June 18, to drop off a prescription forOxycontin and Lorcet in the pharmacy. An employee said it was written on thecorrect security paper so he filled the prescription. The next day, Walgreenscalled and said the same individual was trying to fill a forged prescription. ACVS employee called the doctor mentioned on the prescription. He said it hadbeen forged. Patrolman Donald Coakley wrote in his report that about $1,000 inmedication had been forged.

 

Theft under $500 alleged

A CVS employee at the store at 364 Cosby Highway, saidthat on Thursday, June 18, at about 8:30 p.m., she noticed a male in the storetaking items off the shelf. The employee called for security and the man ranout of the store with a large bag of items. Detective Jason Ramsey said herecognized the man who was recorded on video surveillance. Noticed stolen weresix gift sets of I-Zod cologne that were valued at almost $150, according to areport by Patrolman William Garber.

 

Vandalism/theft over $500

Ashley Barnett, 20, of Bowman Drive, said that on Friday,June 19, she told an individual to gather his belongings and leave. She saidshe returned home less than one hour later and found the floors flooded and thefollowing stolen: a computer desk, bed mattress, lamp, wooden table, metalstand, sheets and a comforter, and three hoodie sweatshirts, according to areport by Patrolman Donald Coakley.

 

Vehicle vandalism alleged

Leann Sartan, 18, of Morrell Springs Road, in Newportsaid that on Sunday, June 21, at 6 p.m., she was talking to some friends in theparking lot when an individual walked over to her 1997 Honda Accord and kickedthe front right fender. The person also allegedly screamed, called her obscenenames, and threatened to hit her before walking away on foot, according to areport by Patrolman Heather Lawson. Damage was estimated at $500.

 

Harassment and stalking alleged

Alicia Wright, 28, of 7th Street, in Newport, said thatbetween Sunday, June 14, and Sunday, June 21, an individual harassed her bycalling her phone, accused her, and threatened her. Wright also said theindividual has followed her around town several times and was at the house of afriend of hers on the night of Saturday, June 20. The individual allegedlytried to get Wright to go outside and fight. She said she wished to obtain arestraining order against the person, according to a report by Sgt. JasonSmith.

 

Breaking and entering of a vehicle alleged

Richard Barnes, 51, of 147 Douglas Ave., in Newport, toldPatrolman Travis Gorrell that between Monday, June 15 and Saturday, June 20,someone entered his 1997 Honda Accord that he left unlocked and took hiswallet. Barnes said he had $50 in cash in the wallet.

 

Vandalism, theft of gas alleged

Richard Berndt, 80, of River Rest Apartments, in Newport,said that on Monday, June 22, at about 1:30 a.m., he heard a car alarm go off.He told Patrolman Amy Elswick that someone damaged the driver's side doorhandle of his 1996 Ford Explorer. He also said it was the sixth time thatsomeone has stolen gas from his vehicle.

 

Break-in alleged

Ryan Buss, 33, of Old 15th Road, in Del Rio,said that sometime during a two-week span, up to Saturday, June 27, someonebroke into his storage building and stole a four-wheeler that belongs to hisson-in-law, Ryan Buss, according to a report by Lt. Rick Laws. The yellow 2005Polaris ATV was valued at $3,000.