By Patty Blackburn, Staff
The Lewisburg Police Department has received multiple calls concerning mail being stolen from mailboxes -especially outgoing mail. One incident took place on Liberty Avenue on Nov. 28.
A resident on Liberty Avenue noticed a subject wearing a black ski mask, in a white SUV, removing mail from his mailbox. He followed the SUV but lost contact, then notified the police department. A BOLO (be on the lookout) was made to let other officers be aware of this vehicle. Dispatch then received a call from First Commerce Bank regarding a check that had been altered. After learning the subject in the bank with the check was one of the same subjects in the white SUV who was seen on Liberty Avenue, officers were dispatched to the bank.
Officer Renshaw made contact with the white SUV and went up to the vehicle which was backing out of the rear lot at the bank. He told the driver to stop and kept yelling stop several times. The car backed out and knocked Officer Renshaw to the ground, and fled the scene. Officer Renshaw was taken to the ER and was advised to see an orthopedic doctor.
Police Chief Scott Braden was on East Commerce when the suspect’s vehicle pulled out in front of him. Chief Braden attempted to make a stop but they fled the scene again. They were finally stopped on Old Belfast Road where two suspects were taken to the police department for investigation, Timothy Marsh and Mona Talley, both from Nashville. Marsh was charged with Aggravated Assault on an Officers and Evading Arrest – bond set at $27,000.Talley was charged with Theft of Property, Forgery, and Evading Arrest – bond set at $20,000. The vehicle was impounded and a warrant requested in order to search the vehicle.
While the two suspects in the vehicle were apprehended, city and county officers were looking for the other two individuals from the vehicle. John Harris who was on foot, was taken into custody in the vicinity of Lawlers Barbecue. Harris was charged with possession of Schedule II Drug -crack cocaine with a bond set at $30,000. The fourth individual has not been charged, but is still a suspect being questioned by authorities.
“This is an ongoing investigation with multiple jurisdictions in Tennessee as well in other states,” stated Chief Braden. “We are communicating with other agencies in towns and cities who have had the same type of thefts. This is larger than only the individuals we apprehended. There are more people involved.”
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Lewisburg City Police Department during this incident and Chief Braden and the city officers are very appreciative for their service. If anyone has noticed a white SUV, with a temporary tag, in the area or any vehicle that is suspicious and stopping at mailboxes, please give the Lewisburg Police Department a call at 931-359-4044.
