Smithville Police have arrested a man believed to have been responsible for the theft of a vehicle from a car lot, a radio from another automobile, a license tag, and several items from Wal-mart.

41 year old Benjamin Roberto Garcia of 250 Moore Taylor Road is charged with two counts of theft, two counts of burglary, two counts of vandalism, and he is cited for an additional two counts of theft.

(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 3/19/2018 Thru: 3/26/2018)

Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_63.pdf (3.04 MB)

According to police, a report was filed on February 19 that someone had broken into an automobile at Davis Auto and stolen a radio causing damage to the vehicle. The following day another report was filed of someone having taken a 1994 Dodge Dakota from Auto Hut after breaking the lock and entering the gate of the car lot. During the investigation and after viewing surveillance video, police identified Garcia as a person of interest. After recovering the truck taken from Auto Hut, police checked the license plate on it through Central Dispatch and learned that the plate was stolen. Garcia found himself in more trouble after he was spotted on Sunday, March 11 shoplifting a pair of ear buds and a rugged speaker from Wal-mart. He was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 13. Garcia’s bond is $57,500 and his court date is March 29.

More potential candidates have picked up petitions for two upcoming city elections in August.

Curtis Rust has obtained a petition for Mayor in the August 2 Smithville Municipal Election.

In Alexandria, Doyle Hendrix picked up a petition for Mayor and Lloyd Dyer, Eddie Shane Blair and Bridgette Rogers have all picked up petitions for Aldermen in that town’s August 2 election.

The qualifying deadline for the municipal elections is Noon, April 5.

Meanwhile, local voters are reminded of key dates for the May 1 DeKalb County Democratic Primary.

“Two important things to keep in mind at this point are the registration deadline and the updating of addresses,” said Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections.

“If you are not registered but want to participate in the May 1 primary election, April 2 is the last day you can register in person at the election office,” he said.

Voter registration forms are available at the election office on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse; on line at www.dekalbelections.com (and clicking on the voter registration tab at the top left of the page) and https://sos.tn.gov/elections/voter-information.

As far as address changes go, Stanley said keeping your address up to date could prevent a delay in voting on Election Day or even during early voting.

“If you have moved since you last voted, you may have to vote at a different location on May 1,” he said. “Keep in mind, if you have moved and did not notify our office, you will have paperwork to fill out on Election Day and you may have to go to a different place to vote.”

Voters who want to check their status can call the election office at 615-597-4146 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Another tool for voters is the GoVoteTN app for smartphones and computer desktops. The app can be downloaded at the iTunes store or Google Play.

The app provides a variety of information about the upcoming election, including a way for voters to check their current status.