By Patty Blackburn
Shoplifters
On March 12, contact was made by Gunnar Southerland by phone with Keishan Howard. Howard stated that Jararius Marable and Bailey Laird shoplifted several items from Walmart and they were selling these items in Nashville. Walmart Loss Prevention stated that several electronics were stolen – two TV’s, two sound bars, and a Roku device were missing. A video shows the two suspects loading up a shopping cart with electronics and leaving the store without paying. Both suspects are from Nashville and they were possibly driving a Chevy Equinox or similar style vehicle. The total of the items taken were estimated at approximately $665.
Scam
On March 21, Officer Kritz responded to the Lewisburg Police Department in reference to a scam. Peggy Butler stated that a woman called and said she was from the Social Security Dept. and that she was notified by police that they found a vehicle in El Paso, Texas that was rented in her name and social security number. This subject also told Butler they had found 11 or more bank accounts which were for money laundering and drug activity. Butler was then transferred to whom the subject said was a DEA agent. The so called DEA agent told Butler that this could be taken care of if she purchased $600 worth of Ebay cards. Another call, with a different number came through, and Butler was told to read the codes on the back of the cards, which she did. She then received a text saying an officer would bring her back her money by 6 p.m. (Butler is still waiting to be refunded.)
Gun Incident
A city officer responded to 434 5th Avenue North on March 24, in reference to a gun incident. Contact was made with Skyler Childress and Kaylee Jarvis who stated they were looking for their lost cat in the neighborhood. Someone told them to check on McDowell Lane. While on their way to McDowell Lane, they noticed a man in a truck parked in a lot next to 518 McDowell Lane. Childress walked up to the driver side window and waved in order to gain the man’s attention. He rolled down his window slightly, and pointed a pistol at Childress’ face and asked, “How can I help you?” Childress stepped away and he and Jarvis ran. As they looked back, the pistol was still pointed at them until they ran out of sight.
Two other officers found the truck parked and unoccupied in the area on McDowell Lane. While on the scene, a man matching the description of the person in the truck stepped out of the front door at 518 McDowell Lane. He said he did encounter two individuals earlier and that he was simply removing his pistol from his truck and never pointed it at anyone. Thomas Fox was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and a total bond of $15,000, court date of May 6 with Lewisburg City Court. (It wasn’t reported if the cat was ever found or not.)
Ban Notice
On March 25, Corp. Dustin Turner responded to 954 Old Belfast Road in reference of the property owner wanting someone to leave. Contact was made with the property owner, Maury Endsley. Endsley stated that Frank Ward and Ward’s girlfriend, Roberta Pienkowski, had been arguing all day and Endsley wanted Pienkowski to leave the property. Corp. Tuner observed Pienkowski placing her belongings inside her vehicle. She stated was leaving since Ward had accused her of cheating on him. After searching her vehicle, she was issued a citation for Simple Possessions of Sch. 2 and Sch. 6 and issued a court date. She was also formally banned from the Endsley’s property.
Burglary in Progress
Corporal Dustin Turner was dispatched to 1296 Old Belfast Road on March 29 in reference to a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, contact was made with Terry Tucker who stated a red Dodge Caravan drove onto his property and he saw a female walking around the property of Tucker Auto Parts. Tucker saw her enter into multiple cars that were on the lot. Corp. Turner observed the female walk over to a vehicle and pull the handle on the driver’s side door and open it. She was instructed to stop and place her hands in the air, then was placed into handcuffs. The female was identified at Roberta Pienkowski and she said her husband was with her. A male was then seen carrying a red jacket. He was ordered to drop the jacket and place his hands on the hood of a car. He was patted down and placed in handcuffs and identified as Kurt Luna. Luna stated that he and Pienkowski were looking for rocks and ended up at Tucker Auto Parts. He then stated he did enter a vehicle and take the jacket.
While towing the Dodge van, a fictitious license plate was observed on the van. The plate was an actual license plate that had been painted on. The altered license plate was secured from the van. Luna was charged with altering a registration plate, bond of $3,000.Both were charged with burglary, bond of $3,000. A backpack, red jacket, battery, lighter, and a cup with change were packaged into evidence.
Assault
On March 30, Deputy Michael Bermudez was dispatched to 1314 Belfast Farmington Road in reference to an assault. Contact was made with Gary Medley whose left side of his face was swollen and covered in blood. One of his eyes was swollen shut.
Medley and multiple witnesses advised that David Adams’ dog came to Medley’s property and tried to bite one of his friends. Medley told Adams to get his dog off of his property. Adams and Medley then began arguing and Adams hit Medley on the face, causing him to fall to the ground. Once Medley was on the ground, Adams got on top of him and continued punching him in the face. A witness called 911, at which time Adams left with his dog. Medley was taken to Marshall Medical Center. He had a broken nose and required stitches.
Adams was transported to Marshall Medical due to statements to the jail staff about wanting to harm himself and others. Adams was determined to be the primary aggressor in this assault due to the severity of Medley’s injuries. His bond was set at $5,000.
Fraud/Scam
Dep. Chris Burgess was dispatched on March 30, to 1320 Spring Place Road in reference to a fraud/scam call. Contact was made with Matthew Pruett who stated he received a fraud notification on March 28, which he replied back as fraud. He then received a phone call from the same number listed on the back of his US Bank card and spoke to Jason Adams, an employee with the bank’s fraud department. Since the number was the same at that on the back of his US Bank card, Pruett verified the information and stated the subject had several pieces of personal information so he thought the subject was legitimate. That subject then gained access to Pruett’s account and transferred $9,989.33 with the recipient listed as Charles Bates. Pruett later discovered the transfer and contacted the bank. The bank froze the accounts and disputed the transfer.
Vandalism
On April 1, Officer Evans went to 615 S Ellington Parkway in reference to vandalism. Contact was made with the manager of Co-Op Tire who stated that over the weekend one of the customers’ vehicles was vandalized and the gasoline was siphoned from the tank by cutting the fuel line and a hole was drilled in the gas tank. All damage was repaired by the company and the customer was notified. Officer Evans conducted a records check after the customer requested a police report to be done. Extra patrol was issued for the business who stated that security cameras were not operational at the time of the incident. The total loss was estimated to be approximately $312.80.
