A suspect in a rash of burglaries in the Midway Road area has been arrested by the sheriff’s department.
A Redman Road resident, Nathaniel Dylan Tippens, 22, faces six counts of burglary, six counts of theft under $500, and one count of vandalism. Tippens allegedly broke into six vehicles in the area on Nov. 24, stealing several items. The vandalism charge stems from an attempted break-in, in which the back window of a truck was damaged.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, the combined value of the stolen items, a JVC stereo, two TomTom GPS units, a Cobra radar detector, a bone handled knife and a brown sheath, an air compressor, prescription eyeglasses, a class ring, a multi-colored handbag, an mp3 player and a total of $20 in change, was $790. The cases were investigated by criminal detectives of the Sheriff's Department.
His bond was set at $47,500 and he will appear in court on Jan. 15.
Meanwhile, Brian Eugene Farmer, 49, was charged with driving on a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident on Dec. 3. He was also cited for violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance.)
Ray said a deputy was dispatched to Jefferson Road to investigate a wreck in which the driver had apparently left the scene. The officer reportedly located Farmer, who admitted to driving the vehicle, and told the deputy that he had left the scene because he did not have a driver’s license. A check confirmed that Farmers' license were suspended on August 8, 2011 for failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility in Roane County.
His bond was set at $3,000 and he will appear in court on Jan. 15.
Roxie Elaine Martin, 38, of Alexandria is charged with driving under the influence. Sheriff Ray said a deputy noticed a silver Dodge swerving in and out of its lane while patrolling Highway 70. The officer allegedly found that the driver, Martin had a strong odor of alcohol on her person, was unsteady on her feet, and her speech was slurred. She reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.
Her bond was set at $1,500, and she will appear in court on Dec. 18.
Timothy Wade Cantrell, 55, was charged with driving under the influence on Dec. 7. He was also cited for roadways laned for traffic.
The sheriff said a deputy spotted Cantrell’s vehicle leaving its lane of travel and going into the grass. The officer made a traffic stop, spoke with the driver, and found his eyes to be bloodshot, a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person, and his speech to be slurred. He allegedly told the officer that he had taken prescription medicine and then began drinking during the day.
Cantrell submitted to and performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks, and took a blood test. His bond was set at $1,500, and he will appear in court on Jan. 15.
