Smithville Police were very busy the past few weeks, making arrests for thefts, drugs, and DUI.
Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins said that on July 1, 39-year-old Jana Nicole Witcher was charged with trespassing and theft of property after police responded to Save-A-Lot due to a complaint of a trespasser. Upon arrival, the officer found in her possession several items that she had taken from the store without paying. Her court date was set for July 18.
On July 2, 50-year-old Erick Mauricio-Choreno was arrested for driving under the influence, speeding and violation of the implied consent law.
Chief Collins said that police clocked a vehicle traveling 59-miles-per-hour in a 40-mile-per-hour speed zone on Sparta Highway. The driver, Choreno, was found to have red and watery eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol.
Choreno submitted to, but performed poorly on, field sobriety tasks, and allegedly admitted to having consumed alcohol earlier, and an open container was found in a cup holder. He refused to submit to a blood draw, and a warrant was obtained for a blood sample. He is under a $2,000 bond.
On July 6, 62-year-old Benny Close of 708 West Main Street was arrested for aggravated assault.
According to Chief Collins police were dispatched to 717 West Main Street due to an aggravated assault report. Upon arrival the officer made contact a female victim, who had visible injuries on her face and neck. The woman stated that she went to check on her neighbor, Close, when he allegedly started hitting her in the face and tried to choke her. He is under a $6,500 bond and due in court on July 25.
On July 7, 42-year-old Gilberto Juarez of Kendra Drive was arrested for driving under the influence. He is under a $1,500 bond and will be in court July 25.
Police were dispatched to the parking lot of Dollar Tree on a report of a man stumbling while getting out of his car. When officers arrived, Juarez was backing out of his parking spot.
After a traffic stop, Juarez was found to be unsteady on his feet, had red and watery eyes, and smelled of alcohol. Juarez allegedly admitted to having consumed several beers earlier.
That same day, 47-year-old Jimmy Estes was arrested for criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, possession of legend drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is under a $11,000 bond and will be in court July 25.
Police were dispatched to Highland Avenue on a report of a trespasser. Upon arrival, the homeowner reported that Estes was on the property and would not leave even though he had previously been trespassed from the property.
The officer made contact with Estes, who was reportedly irate. While placing him in custody, Estes refused to cooperate with commands and tried to pull away. A search of his person turned up a bottle containing prescription pills, with the label torn off the bottle. A pipe with residue was also found.
On July 11, 44-year-old Nathan Joseph Wilbert was arrested for public indecency and simple possession. He is under a $5,000 bond and will be in court on July 25.
Chief Collins reported that police responded to Hardees on panic alarm call, and found Wilbert in the area of the drive-thru exposing himself. After placing him in custody the officer found a container that held a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.
On July 12, 43-year-old Christie Dawn Bouldin was charged with public intoxication. She is under a $1,500 bond and will be in court on July 25.
Chief Collins said that police responded to 310 Wade Street where Bouldin was trying to get into a car. Upon arrival officers found Bouldin as euphoric, with constricted pupils, consistent with narcotic use. She was placed in custody.
On July 13, 59-year-old Richard Clifton Warner of Coconut Ridge Road, was arrested for driving under the influence. He is under a $3,500 bond and will be in court on August 1.
Chief Collins said that police responded to a vehicle accident at 600 East Broad Street, and upon arrival found one of the drivers involved in the crash, Warner, sitting on the sidewalk. He was allegedly very unstable on his feet, had slurred speech, and had a strong odor of alcohol. Warner refused field sobriety tasks and a blood draw, and a warrant was obtained for blood evidence. No one was seriously injured in the accident.
On July 16, 39-year-old Bryan Christopher Tate of Arnold Road, Smithville, was arrested for theft of property and manufacture, delivery, sell, or possession of methamphetamine. He was also cited for no insurance and violation of the light law.
Chief Collins said that during a routine traffic stop on a BMW for violation of the light law, officers noticed a Stihl Weed eater in the passenger front seat. After obtaining consent to run the serial numbers, the officer confirmed the item had been stolen in West Virginia.
Tate was then asked to step out of the vehicle, and the man allegedly told the officer that he had “dope” in his left sock. Officers then found four grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine. Tate was taken into custody. He is under a $16,000 bond and he will be in court August 1.
On July 31, 56-year-old Christopher Joseph Cantrell of Dearman Street was arrested for simple possession of a schedule III drug, no registration, and violation of the light law.
According to Chief Collins, during an 11 pm traffic stop for a light law violation, police observed the driver, Cantrell, throw a container on the ground allegedly containing a Subutex pill, which police say he admitted was his. He is due in court July 31.
