Sheriff and Police Chief Warn Public to Guard Against Auto Break-Ins

June 14, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Don’t become a victim of a vehicle break-in!

That’s the warning by the Smithville Police and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Departments as both agencies have had recent reports of those type crimes in which victim’s car windows have been shattered and personal belongings stolen.

In a joint statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray and Police Chief Mark Collins are warning you to never leave your car with valuables in plain sight, even if car doors are locked.

“We believe these thieves are targeting vehicles with valuables in plain sight no matter if the automobile is locked or not. The thief walks by the vehicle, sees a pocketbook, wallet, or other valuable items in plain sight, pops (shatters) the window, grabs the valuables, and then is gone in a matter of seconds. We want to encourage everyone to lock valuables in your trunk and keep them out of sight,” said Chief Collins.

Sheriff Ray said some of thefts locally have been at areas around the lake as well as in Smithville.

“There have been some car break-ins on Cove Hollow Circle near the Dam and Edgar Evins State Park. The City of Smithville has also had some,” said Sheriff Ray.

Similar crimes have been reported recently in other counties including Wilson where authorities have posted on social media a photo of a suspicious vehicle. Sheriff Ray said the vehicle in that photo could be the same one seen in the area where the DeKalb County burglaries occurred.

Meanwhile, suspects using a stolen a credit card from a local victim were photographed at Walmart here.

If you can identify the suspects or have information that could help solve the crimes, contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Smithville Police Department, or central dispatch at 615-215-3000.

June 14, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Joint investigation by the Smithville Police and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Departments has resulted in the arrest of a man charged in a rash of recent Mini-Storage unit burglaries and thefts.

45-year-old Robert Thomas Bradford, Jr. of Midway Road, Smithville is under a total bond of $135,000 and his court date is June 22. He was arrested on Monday, June 12 after a search warrant was executed at Bradford’s home where several stolen goods from the storage units were found along with other items believed to be stolen.

According to Chief Mark Collins, the Smithville Police Department has brought burglary, vandalism and theft charges against Bradford in cases involving three victims at Lockhart Mini-Storage.

In one case, Bradford is charged with burglary and theft of property in which he allegedly cut locks off a storage unit and then stole 65 belt buckles, a wooden chest, personal tax papers, and a crate of miscellaneous large size clothing. The total restitution value is $13,650.

In another case, Bradford is charged with burglary for allegedly cutting locks off another storage unit before entering with intent to commit theft of several items.

In the third case, Bradford is accused of having used bolt cutters to cut the locks off two other storage units. The restitution value is $1,100 for the vandalism.

Meanwhile Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Bradford victimized four other people by breaking into their rental units at Highway 70 Boat and Mini Storage and Snow Hill Mini Storage between May 23 and June 7th.

The offenses occurred as follows:

May 23: Bradford is charged with burglary, theft of property, and vandalism. He allegedly cut the lock off a door destroying the lock before entering a unit at the Highway 70 Boat and Mini Storage business and stealing several firearm accessories, a Toro leaf blower, several computers and other items. The total restitution value is $1,912.

June 1: Bradford is charged with burglary, theft, and vandalism for allegedly cutting a lock off the door of a mini storage unit at Highway 70 Boat and Mini Storage destroying the lock before entering and stealing several items including currency, arrowheads, several tools, purse, jewelry, and other items. The total restitution value is $3,435.

June 7: Bradford is charged with burglary, theft, and vandalism for allegedly cutting the lock off a unit at the Snow Hill Mini Storage business destroying the lock before entering and stealing several items including tools, air compressor, and a pair of Puma golf shoes. Total restitution value $948.

June 7: Bradford is charged with burglary, theft, and vandalism for allegedly cutting the lock off another unit at Snow Hill Mini Storage destroying the lock before entering and stealing several items including a band saw, drill press, battery charger, and an 8-foot ladder. The total restitution value is $950.

Meanwhile, in a separate report from the Sheriff’s Department concerning other recent crime news, 52-year-old Leanne Lynn Hawkins of Fairground Road, Alexandria, is charged with domestic assault. She is under a $2,500 bond and will be in court on June 22.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 9, a deputy was summoned to a home on Fairground Road due to a verbal domestic complaint. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a man who said that he and Hawkins had gotten into an argument but that after he went outside to get away from her, she became aggressive and began throwing things out of the house toward him. The man said he was afraid that she was going to hit him.

49-year-old John Allen Judkins Jr. is charged with public intoxication and introduction of contraband into a penal institution. He is under a $9,000 bond and his court date is June 29.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 9, a deputy was called to a residence on Ferrell Road due to a reported burglary in progress. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Judkins, who was found sitting in a chair on the back porch of the home. He was reported to be yelling and causing a disturbance. Judkins answered “no” when asked if he knew the people who lived at the residence. Judkins was then detained and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.

During this time, Sheriff Ray said Judkins appeared to be highly intoxicated on some type of narcotics. He was reportedly unsteady on his feet, jittery, and sweating profusely.

The officer then spoke to the owners of the residence who reported that Judkins never tried to enter the home but knocked on their back door and sat in their porch chair. Judkins was then taken to the jail after which time, correctional officers spotted Judkins placing something under his bed. After entering the cell, the officers asked Judkins what he had hidden, and Judkins replied that it was a bottle. During a search of Judkins’ cell, a piece of toilet paper was found folded under his bunk mat. Inside, a small baggy was found containing a blue powdery substance.

June 13, 2023
By:

J Creek Cloggers and the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree are proud to announce their partnership for the 52nd Annual Celebration on Friday, June 30 , 2023 at 7pm. The two organizations will collaborate to bring an exciting lineup of music and dance performances to Downtown Smithville.

The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree is a beloved annual event that highlights the best in traditional Appalachian music, dance, and crafts. This year’s festival will feature over thirty-six music and dance categories, as well as hand-made crafts and food booths .

J Creek Cloggers is a renowned clogging group that has been entertaining audiences since 2009. Founded on the ideals of education, community, and inclusiveness to bring joy to the masses through freestyle group clogging. Zeb Ross went viral in March 2022, capturing the joy of millions of people across the world with his dance moves. Today, much like the Jamboree, they are working together to preserve the art of clogging through a community of young and old that will draw the dancer out of everyone.

Kim Ross stated, “The J Creek Cloggers mission is to preserve freestyle clogging and old time/bluegrass music while spreading joy and happiness.”

“We are thrilled to partner with J Creek Cloggers for this year’s festival,” said President Kim Luton. “Their high-energy performances are sure to be a hit with our audiences.”

The partnership between J Creek Cloggers and Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree promises to be a highlight of this year’s festival. Do not miss this exciting celebration of traditional music and dance! Sponsored by Hyundai of Cookeville.

This year’s Jamboree will be held June 30th – July 1st, 2023. For more information about the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree, please visit their website at http://smithvillejamboree.com/.

For more information about J Creek Cloggers visit their website at https://www.jcreekcloggers.com/.

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