Bradley County Sheriff's Office - Jim Ruth, Sheriff

Newsflash

There have been 4 traffic deaths recorded in Bradley County this year.
Be safe as you travel.

BradleySheriff.com

UPDATE Thursday, 3:00 pm:

Warrant Division deputies found Keith A. Clark today at a location on Old Benton Pike in eastern Bradley County.

Clark was being sought on felony warrants for theft over $250,000 and aggravated burglary.

Detectives conducting the investigation of a theft last month on Bucks Pocket Road took out warrants for Clark and a cousin, Myrtie Franklin Keith, 32, earlier this week. The loss has been placed at $260,000, making it one of the largest to occur in Bradley County in quite some time. Electrical wiring was ripped out of seven chicken houses and a three story home. In addition, an emergency power generator and two heating and air conditioning units were stolen.

Clark was brought to the Bradley County jail where he was processed and will be held without bond until an initial appearance in General Sessions court on Friday.

Original Release...

Property crimes detectives have a suspect in custody and are asking the public to help them track down a second person who has been linked through investigation to one of the largest thefts in Bradley County in a number of years.

Both suspects have been charged with a class A felony, theft over $250,000, under a statute enacted this year by the General Assembly that went into effect on July 1st.

Myrtie Franklin Keith III, a.k.a. "Bubba", 32, and Keith A. Clark, 37, are believed to be the first to be charged under the new statute that carries a minimum term of 15 years in prison.

The two have been implicated in the theft of a generator, electrical wiring and household goods from 541 Bucks Pocket Road.

On September 11 the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office was contacted to begin an investigation into the theft of a $30,000 power generator, two heating and air conditioning units, and the stripping of electrical wiring from the interior walls of an unoccupied residential structure. The theft occurred sometime after August 1st and resulted in a loss of $260,000.

Keith was arrested this morning at the Bradley County Judicial Center on warrants for theft and aggravated burglary. He is being held without bond pending a court appearance on Tuesday.

Clark, who is Keith’s cousin, is being actively sought for the same offenses. The sheriff’s office has authorized a reward of up to $250 for information leading to his arrest.

He is described as a white male, balding, who is known to have facial hair at times. He has several Chattanooga and Bradley County addresses and could be driving a mid 90’s extended cab full size GMC or Chevrolet pickup truck. It is black with gray trim and displays Georgia license, BYR – 2407.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office by calling 9-1-1 or 728-7336, or your nearest law enforcement agency.

As part of the investigation detectives have been able to recover the generator. They wish to acknowledge the assistance of Keasler Salvage Company for their cooperation which greatly enhanced the success of this investigation.

Myrtie Franklin Keith III

Keith A Clark

Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 September 2012 )

Inmates Prepare for GED Test

Eight inmates housed in the Bradley County jail have successfully completed the GED prepatory class and they are now ready to attend a GED test session. That will happen in late September when they will be administered the test that
will take much of a day to complete. The test is being given at the jail.

The jail has offered classes in the past to give those incarcerated for various crimes an opportunity to leave with
a high school equivalency diploma. It is the first time students have actually taken the test while in custody. There are others currently enrolled in the class and it is hoped they too will complete the preparatory class and be able to participate in a GED test session.

Cleveland Daily Banner reporter Joyanna Weber interviews Jordan Hicks(left) and Olain Jones (right) for an article in the paper. It was published on Monday, Sept. 17.

Read the complete article by clicking here.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 September 2012 )

Neighbor Looking Out for Neighbor

By: Sheriff Jim Ruth

I have mentioned this subject a time or two before, but we need to address it again. Some neighborhood watches are working well in protecting against home burglaries.

Others who do not enjoy the social interaction are not as likely to participate.

I want to point out that we can all have a part in keeping our neighborhoods safe by simply being aware and paying attention to our surroundings.

Last Updated ( Monday, 17 September 2012 )

Sheriff Ruth Visits Blythe-Bower School

Ruthanna Goldston welcomes Sheriff Ruth to her classroom.

Sheriff Jim Ruth visited the class of Ruthanna Goldston at Blythe Bower Elementary School. Ruth, city police officers, firemen, and government officials joined students in singing the National Anthem.

Last Updated ( Friday, 14 September 2012 )

Detectives Need Help Finding Darnaise Smith

Detectives are working to locate Darnaise Simuell Smith who is wanted by authorities in both Tennessee and Georgia.

Smith has outstanding charges in Bradley County for evading arrest and speeding. In addition Whitfield and Murray County Georgia have charges as does Polk County Tennessee.

Smith is also a suspect in the theft of a 1981 Pontiac Trans Am that was stolen Wednesday out of the front yard of a home on Austin Lane. The theft was discovered when the owner returned home from work and noticed the vehicle, which he had for sale, was not where it had been parked earlier in the day.

A neighbor told deputies while they conducted an investigation that he saw a man get out of another vehicle and drive off in the Trans Am in the general direction of Georgia.

A short time later a Murray County Georgia deputy spotted the vehicle. In an attempt to flee the officer, the Trans Am and deputy passed allowing the deputy to identify the driver as Smith.

Smith is a 40-year-old white male, five foot 8 inches tall, weighing around 220 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes and may have a goatee.

Anyone with information that will help in locating Smith, or a white 1981 Trans Am with a screaming eagle on the front hood, is asked to contact the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office by calling 423-728-7336. At the time it was stolen the vehicle had no license tag.

Darnaise Simuell Smith

Last Updated ( Thursday, 13 September 2012 )

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