Sheriff's


Three cars involved in accident
Phyllis L. Gentry, 56, of 3611 Cosby Highway, in Cosby, was traveling north on Cosby Highway at Dunn Lane, in a 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup truck, on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Gregory Pickens, 42, of 3505 Rocky Ridge Road, in Cosby, was traveling north on Cosby Highway, as well, in a 2008 Honda Pilot. The two vehicles collided in the northbound lane of Cosby Highway. The Honda then crossed into the southbound lane of Cosby Highway and collided with a 1987 Subaru driven by Rachel L. Hillis, 24, of 177 Wilderness Trail, in Cosby. The Dodge ran off the road into a ditch. The Subaru came to a stop in the southbound lane of Cosby Highway. The Honda ran off the southbound side of Cosby Highway and hit a culvert and ditch, Deputy Sheriff Timothy N. Snapp reported.

Accident victim taken to hospital
Amanda G. Nelson, 21, of 2000 Old 15th Road, in Hartford, was driving a 2000 Dodge Neon on Old Fifteenth Road at Big Creek Road on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when a large truck was allegedly on her side of the road, which was headed north. Nelson said she swerved to avoid hitting the truck, ran off the road, and struck a ditch. She was transported by Allied EMS to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County, Deputy Sheriff C. J. Ball reported.

Vehicle overturns in accident
Kayla R. Johnson, 17, of 2513 Big Creek Road, in Hartford, was driving a 1995 Saturn on U.S. Highway 321 South at Wilton Springs Road, on Tuesday, Oct. 27. She apparently lost control of the Saturn she was traveling north in, left the right side of the road, and struck a tree. That caused the vehicle to overturn. Both Johnson and a passenger were transported by Allied EMS to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County, Deputy Sheriff Steve Johnson reported.

Accident on Bridges Chapels Road
Rochelle A. Rankin, 39, of 2502 Leisure Court, in Sevierville, was traveling east on Bridges Chapel Road, in a 2005 Chevrolet Impala, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, when the vehicle left the right side of the road and struck a utility pole before coming to a stop. A passenger was transported by Allied EMS to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County, Deputy Sheriff C.J. Ball reported.

Parked vehicle struck by unknown vehicle
Crystal Valinetina, of 4075 Cosby Highway, said that sometime between Saturday, Oct. 24, and Monday, Oct. 26, someone in a vehicle struck her 1998 Chevrolet Blazer while it was parked at Dewey Giles Garage on Highway 32 in Cosby. The unknown vehicle apparently was driven from the scene of the accident without notifying Valinetina of the accident, Deputy Sheriff Rick Laws reported.

Accident on Edwina Bridgeport Road
Rachel L. Messer, 29, of 735 Bat Harbor Road, in Newport, said she was traveling north in a 2000 Jeep Wrangler north on Edwina Bridgeport Road when a black Pathfinder allegedly turned onto Edwina Bridgeport Road and into her lane. The Jeep collided with a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder SUV driven by Lisa R. Grove, 51, of 550 Wilton Springs Road, in Newport, Deputy Sheriff David Crowder reported.

Vehicle parked in driveway hit by other vehicle
A 2005 Ford Taurus was apparently parked legally in a driveway at 635 North Highway 340, in Parrottsville, on Monday, Oct. 26. It is owned by Cecil D. Askew. Thomas Keith Munyon, 20, of 282 South Highway 107, in Del Rio, was traveling north on Highway 340 in a 1986 Ford F250 pickup truck, traveled across the center line, across the southbound lane of Highway 340, left the road, and hit the Ford Taurus, Lt. Rick Laws reported.

Rear-end collision on Judd's Lane
J.P. M. Keasling, 32, of 1254 Fine St., in Newport, had stopped his vehicle, a 2001 Mazda van, at the intersection of Judd's Lane and Clevenger Cut-off Road, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, when he was struck from behind by a 1999 Ford pickup truck driven by Andreas M. Hunt, 27, of 655 7th St., in Newport. The Ford apparently slid into the rear of the Mazda on the road that was wet due to rain. The Ford suffered damage to its front bumper and grill. The Mazda suffered damage to its rear bumper and hatch, Deputy Sheriff Jason Oury reported.

Domestic assault charge and arrest
Marquitta Gass, 22, of 107 Hidden Estates Way, in Newport, was arrested Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 10 p.m. and charged with domestic assault. She was arrested at 605 Greggs Chapel Road, in Newport, Sgt. Armando Fontes reported.

Violation of order of protection
Jennifer J. Willis, 29, of 1105 Plum Way, in Del Rio, was arrested Wednesday, Oct. 28, and charged with violation of an order of protection, Deputy Sheriff Tony Bailey reported.

Attempted break-in
Sue Mantooth, 45, of Mantooth Road, said she was lying in bed around 11:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when she kept hearing a loud beating noise. She ignored it at first, then saw a man trying to kick in the back door to her home. She grabbed her gun, went out the front door, walked around the house, and the guy at the end of the trailer allegedly started running towards her. She fired one round at him, he started screaming, and he took off running towards a field, Constable Danny Hartsell reported.

Four-wheeler accident
Dustin Smith Jr., 17, of 1934 Hull Way, in Del Rio, was riding a 90 cc Honda four-wheeler on some trails off of Old Long Creek Road, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when he had an accident. A passenger with him, Tedd Fine, is six years old. The child was treated at the emergency room with no injuries. Smith sustained injuries and was treated. The owner of the four-wheeler was identified as Nikki Stokley, Sgt. Armando Fontes reported.

Runaway juvenile
Jessica Mejia, 15, of Riverview Park, in Cowpens, S.C., was reportedly staying at 1997 Brisk Way, in Cosby, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, Deputy Sheriffs Andy Tritt and Tony Bailey reported. Paula Glass, 57, told officers who arrived that Mejia was inside the home. Mejia was placed into custody.

Accident at Cocke County High School
Rosemary Belcher, 60, of Moore Ridge Road, in Bybee, was apparently backing from a parked position at Cocke County High School, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when she struck a 1998 Mercedes Kompressor that was stopped and waiting for another car to move. There was no damage to the vehicle Belcher was driving, a 1983 Chevy Silverado. However, there was front left fender damage to the Mercedes, Deputy Sheriff Randy Cutshaw reported.

Accident on English Mountain Road
Donnie R. Waldroup, 30, of 4447 Upper Shut-in Road, in Hot Springs, N.C., was driving a 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck on English Mountain Road at Pinnacles Road, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when he pulled from Pinnacles Road into the path of a 1998 Subaru driven by Patricia A. McGaha, 48, of 643 East Broadway, in Newport. The Subaru was traveling east on English Mountain Road. The stop sign at the intersection of Pinnacles and English Mountain Road was not present at the time of the accident, Deputy Sheriff Derrick Webb reported.


Police


Criminal simulation arrest
Shawn D. Meeks, 34, was arrested at the Cocke County Fire Hall on a warrant for criminal simulation, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, Det. Donna Hopkins reported.

Accident on Highway 25/70 at Cave Avenue
James E. Webb, 64, of Log Church Road, in Newport, was driving a 1999 Dodge van on Cave Avenue, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, apparently waiting to pull onto Highway 25/70, when the sun got in his eyes and he hit a 1993 Mercury in the passenger side. The Mercury was driven by Tiffany Atkins, 20, of Country Path, in Newport, Patrolman Donald Coakley reported.

Home invasion armed robbery
Several witnessed said three black males dressed in all black entered a residence on Bowman Drive this morning (Oct. 29) at 1:32 a.m., brandishing a shotgun and handgun and demanding that no one move "or you'll get your brains blown out," Sgt. David R. Smith reported. One of the three men retrieved a security safe with money, and all three fled out the front door on foot. The safe and money inside was listed as worth $1,339. One of the suspects was seen by police and taken into custody.

Vehicle vandalized
Michael Barnes, of Douglas Avenue, in Newport, was the owner of a 2002 Ford Ranger pickup parked at the Tanner Building at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Barnes said he went to work and at about 2:45 p.m. returned to his vehicle and discovered scratches and white paint all along the passenger side of the pickup, Patrolman Donald Coakley reported.

Vandalism under $500
Heather Loveday, 32, of Appalachian Way, said that between Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Friday, Oct. 23, someone shattered the back bedroom window of her residence, Patrolman Matthew Elliott reported. The window replacement and labor are estimated at $150.

Theft of vehicle
Wayne Rankins, 51, of Carmack Road, in Newport, said that he left his 1999 Honda SUV at the Western Plaza Shopping Center on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and when he returned the next day, it was gone, Patrolman Travis Gorrell reported. The vehicle is valued at $6,500.

Breaking and entering/theft over $500
Tracy Cody said he returned to his home on Upper Broad Street, in Newport, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and found the following stolen by someone who broke into the residence: a box of miscellaneous coins (valued at about $100), a blue Topaz ring (about $150), an orange Citrine ring (about $200), and a pair of hoop earrings (about $50), Patrolman Robby McMahan reported.

Counterfeit money
Jeff Worth, 37, of Sulfur Springs Road, in Newport, said that on Wednesday, Oct. 28,k when he tried to use a $5 bill at Brock's Market, located at 601 East Broadway, the cashier said it was counterfeit. Worth said he got the bill at Freddy's Lounge earlier that day, Patrolman Travis Gorrell reported.

Theft under $500
A loss prevention officer at Walmart, at 1075 Cosby Highway, said he saw a white female conceal eight Wii games (worth $20 each), on Wednesday, Oct. 28. He said a security camera got the tag on the vehicle she left in, Patrolman Travis Gorrell reported.

Theft under $500
A loss prevention officer at Walmart, at 1075 Cosby Highway, said that on Wednesday, Oct. 28, a white male put two 12-inch subwoofers into a buggy and left the store without paying for them. A greeter apparently asked for a receipt, but the man said she did not need to see his receipt, Patrolman Travel Gorrell reported. The subwoofers are valued at $116.

Vandalism at 315 Woodlawn Avenue
Heather Fox said that on Saturday, Oct. 24, someone damaged his grandfather's 1999 Chevrolet truck by breaking out one of the front parking lights, breaking the passenger side rear view mirror, and keying the vehicle. Damage was estimated at $2,400 and included damage to the paint job of $2,000, damage to the light ($200), and damage to the mirror ($200), Sgt. Jason Smith reported. A suspect was named.

Public intoxication arrest
Cecil Jordan, 44, of 440 Maple Valley Road Apt. 2A, of Morristown, was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 27, and charged with public intoxication, Patrolman Ricky Parton reported.

Warrant for violation of probation
Michael Waldroup, 29, of 610 River St., in Newport, was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 27, and charged based on a warrant for violation of probation in Cocke County, Patrolman Amy Elswick reported. Also arrested was Leslie S. Samsel, 33, of 508 Thompson Creek Road, in Morristown. Samsel was arrested at about the same time, for public intoxication, Patrolman Allen Stump reported.

DUI and violation of implied consent
Marcey R. Cruz, 47, of 3350 Leadville Road, in White Pine, was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 27, and charged with DUI and violation of implied consent, Capt. Scott Lamb reported.

Theft of medication
Rita Toby, 47, of Cinder Valley, in Newport, said that on Monday, Oct. 26, while she was moving into her new home, a woman who asked to use her bathroom was a suspect in the stealing of 240 pills worth a total of $23.24, Patrolman William Garber reported.

Theft reported
Debra Richardson, 21, of 7th Street, in Newport, said she lost her wallet with $100 in it on either Sunday, Oct. 25, or Monday, Oct. 26, Patrolman Matt Franklin reported. Richardson named two suspects. The total value of stolen items was $117.

Assault reported
Mark Adkins, 18, of 160 Bible Road, said a white male that he named fought him and busted his nose, on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Laramie Circle (the Newport Housing Authority), Capt. Brad Ball reported.

Theft under $500
Jeretta Holbrook, 28, of Whitson Drive, in Newport, said that someone stole her black leather trifold wallet with a zipper on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The wallet's contents included two food stamp cards (one for a relative), a Visa credit card, a book of stamps, and two drivers licenses, Patrolman Ricky Parton reported. Items are valued at about $58.

Burglary theft under $500
Approximately $50 in pills were taken from the residence of Jettie Gunter, 66, of Harper Circle, in Newport, while she was in the hospital, on Thursday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 24, Capt. Ronnie Landers reported.

Harassment alleged
Gail Clark, 68, of Etowah Street, in Newport, reported to police on Tuesday, Oct. 27, that a woman she named has harassed her for an extended time, Capt. Brad Ball reported.

Auto burglary reported
Everett Biddle, 59, of Shawnee Road, in Newport, said she noticed at 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, that missing from her 1996 Chevrolet K1500 were two camouflage winter coats (valued at $250), a hunting knife ($85), and a bow and arrow release ($75), for a total value of $410, Patrolman Matt Franklin reported.

Stolen tag/theft under $500
James A. Holt, 40, of Terrace Way Apt. 29, in Newport, said that on either Saturday, Oct. 24, or Sunday, Oct. 25, someone stole the tag off his 1986 Honda Accord, dash panel, and two birth certificates, for a total value of $295, Patrolman Matthew Elliott reported.

Breaking and entering/theft over $500
Cathy Sutton, 19, of 485 Apartment 49, in Newport, said that on either Saturday, Oct. 24, or Sunday, Oct. 25, someone entered her home and stole a 19-inch Toshiba flat screen TV valued at $791.56 that she rented from Rent-A-Center, at 112 Newport Town Center, in Newport, Patrolman Robby McMahan reported.

Breaking and entering/theft under $500
Heather Taylor, 32, of Viewmont Circle, in Newport, said she noticed at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, that missing from her 1996 Nissan Maxima was a Sirius satellite radio (valued at $75), a JVC CD player (about $100), and 15 CD's (about $200), for a total value of $375, Patrolman Travis Gorrell reported.

Theft under $500
Craig Woods, 24, of Jimtown Road, in Newport, said that on Sunday, Oct. 25, he noticed his wallet laying on his front yard with $60 missing from it after two males came to his home, Patrolman Travis Gorrell reported.

Vandalism alleged
Brenda Hartsell, of Bowman Street, said someone in a vehicle damaged a bush at 202 Bowman Street (Newport Housing Authority) on Monday, Oct. 26, at 12:25 a.m., Patrolman Robby McMahan reported. The bush is valued at $150.

Theft under $500
A shoplifter allegedly stole an Emerson MP3 player  (valued at $30) from the Dollar General store, at 460 Eastern Plaza Shopping Center, on Saturday, Oct. 24, Patrolman Billy Woody reported. Police found the truck that the suspect left in, and brought him back to the store.

Theft of medication reported
Lisa Hall, 24, of Laramie Circle, in Newport, said medication worth $20 was stolen from her home on Saturday, Oct. 24. Hall named a suspect who was in her bathroom a long time, Patrolman Robby McMahan reported.

Counterfeit $5 bill
Roy Cureton, 60, of 9th Street, in Newport, said that on Friday, Oct. 23, a person she named asked for five $1 bills in exchange for a $5 bill. Cureton said he realized the next day that the $5 bill was counterfeit, Sgt. Jason Smith reported.

Theft under $500/vandalism under $500
Otis Webb, 52, of Cambridge Drive, in Newport, said an individual stole two rolls of quarters and damaged the door to the bedroom he had locked, on Saturday, Oct. 24, Patrolman Matthew Elliott reported. Stolen items were valued at $75.

Vandalism and harassment alleged
Connie Sims, 42, of Apt. E in Newport, said a man walked in her lane of traffic when she was in a vehicle and stopped for a red light, at West Broadway and Cope Boulevard recently, when the man bent her car antennae on her 1990 Ford Taurus backwards. He also punched the side of her vehicle with his fist, Patrolman Matthew Elliott reported. The man has allegedly been calling her and threatening physical harm. Damage is estimated at $40.

Vandalism/theft
Jennifer Holt, 31, of 180 Smith Street, Newport, said that someone on Saturday, Oct. 24 damaged her house and vandalized a storage shed. The said the total damage, including theft of paint, was valued at $700, Sgt. Jason Smith reported.

Burglary of residence
Shane Barton, 28, of Warford Road, in Newport, said that on Monday, Oct. 26, someone entered his home and took a safe (valued at $1,600), tools, two MPS players ($240), an Apple Ipod ($180), three car stereos ($240), change in a vase of approximately $300, titles to three vehicles, and other items. Two suspects were named, Capt. Scott Lamb reported.

Theft under $500
Kelley Watkins, 29, of Lower English Creek Road, in Newport, said she left a National Bank of Tennessee envelope with $435 in cash in it on the front seat of her car for about five minutes, on Monday, Oct. 26, and when she returned to her car, the money was gone, Patrolman William Garber reported.