October 19, 2001

Accident

   * A Johnson City residence sustained heavy damage Tuesday during a freak accident. According to Carter County Sheriff's Department Deputy Laverne Julian, Layla and Jose Micheo, 137 Neth Drive, Johnson City, were moving furniture into their residence. Jose backed into their driveway and Layla, who was driving a 1993 Geo Tracker, got out of her vehicle to help her husband unload a piece of furniture. She left the Tracker running -- but with the emergency brake pulled -- in the middle of the roadway on a very steep downhill grade. The brake failed to hold, however, causing the Tracker to roll backward about 75 yards on the downhill grade. The Geo left the roadway and crashed through the home of David Lowe, 131 Neth Drive. Lowe was not home at the time. Because of the speed the vehicle was able to accumulate due to the length and steepness of the hill, the Tracker plunged through the house, coming to rest in the kitchen area. The kitchen was destroyed, with all pipes torn from the floors and walls; the ceiling, walls, kitchen sink, washer and dryer, hot water heater, stove, refrigerator, cabinets and flooring all were damaged or destroyed. Debris from the frame wall of the home and kitchen were scattered throughout the dining room and living room. The extent of damage was not known at the time of the report.
   * Kenneth Brooks Miller, 34, 313 W. Maple St. #3, Johnson City, was arrested Thursday by officers of Johnson City Police Bureau following investigation into seven auto burglaries in the Tree Streets area from Aug. 20 through Sept. 14. Miller was charged with seven counts of auto burglary and six counts of theft of property under $500. He was booked into Washington County Detention Center where he is being held on unrelated charges.
  
Arrests

   * Three people were arrested around 10:42 p.m. Wednesday by Carter County Sheriff's Department Lt. Mike Fraley following a pursuit from Valley Forge to Swimming Pool Road in Hampton. According to the report, Lt. Fraley observed a white pickup traveling south on 19E at an extremely high rate of speed. The officer caught up to the truck and activated the patrol car's lights and sirens. The truck continued toward Hampton, making a left turn toward Hampton Bait Shop and onto Swimming Pool Road, stopping at a power substation. The officer had the driver turn off the vehicle and exit, at which time he was handcuffed for safety reasons. Deputy Todd Hamm arrived and provided backup. The driver, George Alano Peterson, 24, 125 Smalling Road, was charged with DUI, speeding, reckless endangerment, fleeing to avoid apprehension, and violation of implied consent. Passenger Greg Banner, 197 Carl Smith Road, Hampton, was arrested and charged with public intoxication and possession of Schedule IV. Another passenger, Ellen Jeanette Gregg, 586 Cowanstown Road, Butler, was charged with public intoxication.
   * Jonathon Reece, 18, 553 Whaley Town Road, Butler, was arrested Wednesday by CCSD Deputy Chris Pierce and charged with violation of probation.
   * Joshua Jordan Reline, 19, 1302H Spruce Lane, was arrested Thursday by Elizabethton Police Department Ptl. Jesus Pena and charged with theft under $500 and conspiracy of theft under $500. A 17-year-old male who was with Reline was served a juvenile summons charging him with theft under $500 and conspiracy of theft under $500.
   * William John Snyder, 20, 815 Sink Valley Road, Butler, was arrested Wednesday by EPD Ptl. Tonya Scott and charged with public intoxication and underage consumption.
   * Michael David McJunkins, 27, 306 Watauga Ave., was arrested Thursday by EPD Ptl. Brooke Mullins following a traffic stop. McJunkins was charged with DUI and driving on suspended license.
  
Counterfeit check

   * Lisa Shell of Wal-Mart reported Tuesday to EPD Sgt. Matt Bailey that on two separate occasions a male subject had come to the store and purchased items using a payroll check from Pepsi Bottling Co. in Knoxville. Shell said both checks were returned due to no bank number and no checking account found.
  
Forgery

   * Betty Jo Kirby, 240 Swimming Pool Road, Hampton, reported Wednesday to EPD Ptl. Tonya Scott that she apparently had lost her checkbook on Oct. 5 and that a check for $500, which she did not write, had cleared her account.
  
Theft

   * Angela Fisher, 122 Ed Davis Road, reported Tuesday to CCSD Deputy Gregg Nave that her home had been entered and a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar with black case, a silver and black boom box, and several pieces of jewelry were stolen.
   * April Nicole Ball, 23, 1104 Grove St., reported Wednesday to EPD Ptl. Tonya Scott that someone had stolen her 19-inch Magnavox television from her entertainment center.
   * Alberto Ceffalo, 61, 619 Hattie Ave., reported Wednesday to EPD Ptl. Jesus Pena that someone had taken a purple gazing ball with metal stand from his front yard.