The Smithville Police Department made several arrests over the past few weeks, including those for assault, theft and DUIs.
According to Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, on January 11, 38-year-old Justin Murphy was arrested for violation of an order of protection.
Chief Collins states that officers responded to Highland Drive in reference to an unwanted person. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Murphy, who was a respondent to an order of protection, with the protected person also at the residence.
Murphy is under a $2,500 bond and was in court on January 23.
On January 12, 32-year-old Sonny Smith of Smithville was arrested for domestic assault and interference with an emergency call. He is under a $6,000 bond and was in court on January 23.
According to Chief Collins, officers responded to Wade Street in reference to a domestic in progress. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the complainant and Smith. Officers discovered evidence of an assault and determined Smith to be the primary aggressor. Police say that the complainant was attempting to call 911, when Smith rendered the phone unusable.
The following day, 19-year-old Izayah Young of Smithville was arrested for aggravated assault, vandalism, and possession of a weapon. He is under a $13,500 bond and was in court on January 23.
Chief Collins said that police responded to a disturbance that originated on West Broad Street, where an altercation ensued between Young and the victim at the car wash. Police say that Young busted the driver’s side window of the victim’s car, then pulled up his shirt to expose a gun in his waistband in an attempt of intimidation.
On January 14, Jerry Rackley of Smithville was cited for aggravated criminal trespass. He is due in court on February 6.
Chief Collins reported that police responded to Village Place in reference to a possible burglary in progress. Upon arrival, officers found Rackley on the property, living inside the vacant house without the owner’s consent.
The following day, a couple was cited for theft after electronically depositing their paychecks, then cashing the checks at a local market. Police say 43-year-old Eric Fish and 44-year-old Janet Fish of Smithville, were each cited for theft of property.
Chief Collins states that police responded to Kwik-N-Ezy Market in reference to a theft. Upon arrival, officers determined that the couple had electronically deposited each of their paychecks, then cashed the checks at the store. Eric’s check was for $413.74, while Janet’s check was for $465.44. Both are due in court on February 6.
On January 17, 33-year-old Stephen Babich of Smithville, was arrested for public intoxication, open container, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. He is under a $10,000 bond and is due in court on January 30.
According to Chief Collins, police responded to a suspicious vehicle at a business on South Congress Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Babich, which was in the suspected vehicle.
Authorities say, Babich presented himself in an aggressive manner during the interaction with law enforcement, and exhibited signs of impairment while refusing to comply with lawful orders. Police also allegedly observed an open alcoholic beverage in the center console, along with a large glass pipe with white residue.
When police advised Babich that he was under arrest, he continually refused to comply with orders and physically pulled away from officers. He was eventually placed in custody.
The following day, 33-year-old NithunNag Kardi-Giridhar of Nashville was arrested for DUI.
Chief Collins stated that an officer made a traffic stop on East Broad Street for failure to maintain lane of travel. While talking with the driver, Giridhar, the officer allegedly smelled a strong odor of alcohol. The man stated that he was coming from Midnight Express and had been drinking.
Giridhar performed poorly of all field sobriety tasks, and was placed in custody. He is under a $2,500 bond and is due in court on January 30.
On January 19, 31-year-old Dalton Moore of Smithville was arrested for public intoxication. He is under a $1,500 bond and is due in court on February 6.
According to Chief Collins, officers responded to South Congress Boulevard in reference to a suspicious person. Upon arrival, police made contact with Moore, who was reportedly acting very erratic and exhibited signs of impairment. He was placed in custody.
On January 25, 49-year-old Anthony Lewis of McMinnville was arrested for DUI and cited for driving on roadways laned for traffic. He is under a $5,000 bond and will be in court on February 6.
Officers performed a traffic stop on Short Mountain Highway for failing to maintain lane of travel. Upon speaking with the driver, Lewis, authorities say the man exhibited signs of impairment. Lewis performed poorly on field sobriety tasks and allegedly told officers he had been drinking. He was placed in custody.
The next day, 42-year-old Hollie Michels of Smithville was arrested for domestic assault. She is under a $5,000 bond and will appear in court on February 6.
Chief Collins said that police responded to Jennings Lane in reference to a domestic in progress. Upon arrival, officers found the victim with injuries from an assault and determined Michels as the primary aggressor.
