A Bradley County sheriff’s deputy on patrol Wednesday night observed a man run from a convenience store to an automobile which then sped away on APD 40. The deputy noticed the man was carrying a black bag and a subsequent traffic stop led to recovery of the bag and its contents.

Inside were cartons of Camel and Marlboro cigarettes that a clerk for Harry’s Food Market on APD 40 confirmed were stolen from the store. Also recovered were a 13 inch TV and a DVD player, both stolen from a CVS Pharmacy on APD 40. Through additional investigation it was learned a second DVD player was taken from the pharmacy but had been sold to an unknown individual.

The vehicle’s passenger, 20-year-old Matthew Lee Howell of Blackburn Road, was charged with two counts of theft under $500 and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The driver, a 17 year old female, was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center where petitions were filed charging her with two counts of theft under $500.

Matthew Lee Howell