|
BradleySheriff.com
|
Written by B. Gault, Public Information Office
|
|
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 |
|
The driver of a vehicle that was struck from behind on Hunt Road Tuesday morning in an apparent case of road rage relayed the location of the suspect vehicle to 9-1-1 dispatchers until Bradley County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene. Just after 8 a.m. Jon Hicks contacted the communications center to report a pickup truck struck the rear bumper of his vehicle twice while both traveled along Hunt Road. After the second collision the truck sped away.  John David Kaiser Jr. Hicks followed the suspect and kept dispatchers advised by cell phone. Traffic Division deputies caught up with the two vehicles on Dalton Pike and there they took the suspect into custody. John David Kaiser Jr., age 52, is charged with reckless endangerment, a felony, and failure to exercise due care as a result of the crash. Kaiser was brought to the Bradley County jail where he posted bond and was released. Only minor damage resulted to both vehicles. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 28 October 2009 )
|
|
|
Written by B. Gault, Public Information Office
|
|
Friday, 23 October 2009 |
|
Neighborhood Watch – Area Ruritan clubs have organized a communitywide meeting to encourage participation in the National Neighborhood Watch Program. The meeting will be held on Monday, October 26 at Waterville Community Elementary School beginning at 7 pm.
Pictured above are: (left to right) Waterville principal Charlene Cofer, Canyon Williams, Joyce Johnson, Capt. Jim Ruth of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, County Mayor and Ruritan club member D. Gary Davis, W.W. Johnson, Sheriff Tim Gobble, BCSO Lt. Eric Watson, Past Ruritan Governor and project coordinator Ray Myers, BCSO Deputy Travis Mull, Calvin Mathews, BCSO Sgt. Yvonne Johnson, BCSO Capt. Steve Lawson, Don Melton, and Linda Melton. Ruritan Clubs join the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office to help
promote Neighborhood Watch Local members of Ruritan International are helping the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office promote the National Neighborhood Watch program. Bradley County has several active community groups working through the sheriff’s office and organizers of the Ruritan effort hope to increase those numbers.
They have arranged a meeting for Monday, October 26 at Waterville Community Elementary School to launch a campaign that highlights the positive impact watch groups have on deterring criminal activity.
Joining in the ceremony to acknowledge the civic organizations assistance, Sheriff Tim Gobble pointed out the program works and has been a key factor in apprehending criminals in the past.
“Obviously our deputies can’t be everywhere so we rely on citizens to call us when they observe something that appears to be out of the ordinary. Living in a particular area we become familiar with the normal daily routines and activities of our friends and neighbors. So when you see something unusual or suspicious we want you to call us so we can send a deputy to check it out,” Sheriff Gobble said.
The sheriff expressed his appreciation to the coordinating committee of Ruritan for promoting interest in the program.
Residents of the Waterville area are encouraged to attend the meeting, but it is open to anyone that wants to learn more about the Neighborhood Watch program. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 pm. |
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 23 October 2009 )
|
|
|
Written by B. Gault, Public Information Office
|
|
Friday, 23 October 2009 |
|
An investigation that started with a call to the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday night requesting a patrol deputy check on the possibility that marijuana was being grown at 400 Red Clay Road led to recovery of stolen property valued at several thousand dollars.
After arriving, patrol deputies requested detectives assigned to the Drug Enforcement Unit respond with a search warrant for the marijuana. In voluntary statements by brothers Joshua Keith Meyer and Roderick Jason Meyer, it was learned property that was stolen from their father in Hamilton County was at the residence.  Joshua Keith Meyer Firearms, a flat screen TV, computer printer, camera and binoculars, belonging to the brother’s father, Roderick T. Meyer, were recovered by property crimes detectives. Also recovered were a weedeater, chainsaw, pressure washer and other items having a combined value of approximately $3,000. During questioning, the brothers gave information to investigators regarding thefts from approximately 15 to 30 construction sites in the Ooltewah area.  Roderick Jason Meyer 22-year-old Joshua Keith Myer and 24-year-old Roderick Jason Meyer are being held at the Bradley County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bonds where they are charged with Possession of Stolen Property valued over $1,000. Additional charges are possible in both counties. Detectives from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office responded to Bradley County on Thursday to assist in the investigation and to take custody of the stolen property. |
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 23 October 2009 )
|
|
|
Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
|
|
Thursday, 22 October 2009 |
I have long been a proponent of a citizen’s right to defend themselves and their property. I believe in the universal right of law abiding citizens to self defense and support their right to keep and bear arms for their personal protection in almost all locations where a police presence is not dedicated for that specific purpose. For example, unauthorized guns should not be allowed in courtrooms, presidential and vice presidential venues, and inside schools, because a law enforcement presence is already dedicated to those locations.
Since becoming sheriff, there have been several occasions where I have defended law abiding citizens who have used a firearm to protect themselves from criminals. Today, is another such occasion.
I have known Councilman George Poe for a number of years. I served with him on the Cleveland City Council and know him to be one of our most caring, dedicated and conscientious public servants. He is a great individual, a family man, has a caring heart, and throughout his lifetime has helped others and made Cleveland and Bradley County a better place to live. George also has a gun carry permit.
A few months ago, George was in his yard when he noticed an unfamiliar vehicle pull up next door to his son’s residence. At least one of the occupants got out and began looking around and acting suspiciously. George then observed the thieves load his son’s lawnmower into the back of their vehicle.
According to George's account of the incident, he approached the thieves to get their tag number and yelled for them to stop what they were doing. The thieves then slammed their car in reverse and began backing at a high rate of speed toward him. George had little opportunity to get out of the way and found himself forced against a fence near the driveway. The thieves turned their vehicle sideways in the driveway and George said he feared they were maneuvering to run him down or get out of their car and attack him.
All this happened within seconds and, defensively, George pulled a small pistol from his pocket and fired several rounds, one of which lodged in the rear of the thieves' vehicle. The thieves fled the scene. George ran to his car in order to follow them and report their location to the 911 Communications Center. During their attempted escape, the fleeing thieves wrecked their vehicle and were apprehended by city police.
As it turns out, at least one of the thieves has a prior criminal history and was wanted on outstanding warrants in another jurisdiction. In essence, George stopped a theft in progress and helped get a fugitive criminal off the streets. How was he rewarded? He was cited by the state with Aggravated Assault and Reckless Endangerment and his case has been bound over to the Grand Jury.
The world we live in is a dangerous place. Everyday, we are bombarded on the news with all kinds of acts of violence occurring against innocent people. This community is far from immune to this type of violence. These acts can happen quickly and without warning. George, like every law abiding citizen, has the right to investigate and intervene in suspicious activity on his or his son's property and, if he so chooses, attempt to stop the theft of his son’s possessions.
He also has the absolute right of self defense if he perceives himself to be in danger of serious bodily injury or death, as he did on that day when two thieves suddenly came at or very near him with their vehicle (a weapon). George did not just immediately and indiscriminately open fire on the two; it was only after he perceived the threat of death or serious bodily injury to himself that he did so. In my experience as sheriff, any thief with a criminal record who is brazen enough to steal someone's property in broad daylight and drive a speeding vehicle toward or near a witness who is attempting to intervene, is obviously a danger ~ a danger to that witness and a danger to the public.
So, instead of using the law to go after a good citizen who was forced to make split second decisions in a fast changing, dangerous situation, without any formal law enforcement training, let's use the law as it was designed: to protect innocent citizens and lock up known criminals when they are caught in the act of committing yet another crime.
If some think there is a doubt as to when George should have stopped firing his weapon or should not have fired it at all, remember, George is not a trained law enforcement officer, he is a senior citizen, can't move as quickly as a speeding car, was outnumbered, understandably a little nervous and certainly didn't ask to be placed in a difficult and dangerous situation by the reckless actions of the criminals he caught in the act. He had the right to be there. Any citizen, including you, confronted with the same situation might have reacted similarly. In the end, no one was hurt and the bad guys were apprehended.
It is a travesty of justice for George Poe to be brought up on charges and placed by the state in a similar category as the thieves. If he is prosecuted, we the people who stand against crime are prosecuted. I commend George's bravery and courage. He deserves the support and respect of this community, not prosecution. Any and all judicial proceedings against him should cease and his charges dismissed. If doubt remains for some, give the benefit of that doubt to George, not the criminals caught in the act with a prior criminal history and outstanding warrants. The criminals bear the complete and total blame.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 October 2009 )
|
|
|
Written by B. Gault, Public Information Office
|
|
Tuesday, 20 October 2009 |
|
A corrections deputy for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is recovering today after being injured on Saturday during an ambush attack by an inmate.  Deputy Jack Burke Jr. Correction officer Jack Burke Jr. suffered a broken jaw and injuries to his mouth in the unprovoked attack. He was admitted to Erlanger Medical Center where on Sunday he was taken to surgery. Burke was attacked by inmate Jason Michael Fint while Fint was cleaning the floor outside his cell where he urinated. “Our correction officers do an excellent job every day of providing a safe facility for not only themselves but the inmates they supervise. It takes a person with special characteristics to work in a corrections environment and I commend them for the work they do. It is unfortunate that a member of our correction staff was injured in an ambush by an inmate but it points out the inherit danger of their work. My wish for Deputy Burke is for a speedy recovery,” said Sheriff Tim Gobble.  Jason Michael Fint Fint, who is 32 years old, has been incarcerated since February 23rd after bond was revoked on a charge of Theft over $1,000. At this time the investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending. Deputy Burke was released from the hospital Monday morning.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 October 2009 )
|
|
| | << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
| | Results 73 - 81 of 643 |
|
BradleySheriff.com