Sheriff's Reports 1-2-25: Wanted man arrested after stop at checkpoint

A man with warrants was arrested after he came upon a safety checkpoint in Cherokee County.

On Dec. 23, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office were conducting a safety checkpoint in the area of Hulbert due to issues with drivers not having or carrying driver's licenses. Chris Allen Dodd came through the checkpoint and Deputy Robert Stephens said the man's license was suspended and the vehice's tags were expired. Furthermore, Dodd had two warrants out of Cherokee County. Dodd was arrested and cited for driving under suspension and taxes due state. He was booked for the warrants.

Deputy Stephens was patrolling the area of Fox Street Dec. 25 when he observed a tag light hanging from the bumper of a vehicle. The deputy ran the tag number and discovered the tag expired in August 2024, and insurance was unconfirmed. Stephens met with the driver, who was identified as Kenneth Ray Moss. Moss advised he didn't have a driver's license but he had an identification card. The passenger, Heather Spencer, provided the deputy with her driver's license. Dispatch advised the pair had warrants through Cherokee County and they were arrested. Spencer was transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center and allegedly said she didn't have anything on her person or in her purse before entering the jail. Detention officers found a bag of a crystal-like substance and $1,325 in cash while going through Spencer's belongings. Spencer was booked for bringing contraband into a penal institution while Moss was booked for his warrant.

Deputy Jimmie Robertson was dispatched to South 511 Road Dec. 21 for reports of a fight that was in progress. Robertson said he observed Lyle McFarlane asking if anyone wanted to talk to him and then began to yell at a woman to stop telling lies. The man admitted to "banging" on the door of the residence but denied trying to get inside. The woman said McFarlane tried to gain entry to the residence. Witnesses told deputies McFarlane tried getting into the residence and accused him of making threats. McFarlane was arrested for attempted first-degree burglary and threatening to perform acts of violence.

On Dec. 22, Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Cohen was patrolling the area of East Downing Street when he observed a vehicle roll through a stop light, drift onto the shoulder of the road, and cross the center line two times. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and met with the driver, Matthew Bluebird, who reportedly struck the curb when pulling over for Cohen. There was an odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle and there was a beer can in the center console. Bluebird was arrested after a field sobriety test and booked for driving under the influence, transporting an open container, and failure to maintain lane.

Deputy Jeremy Woodstock was dispatched to a wrecker owner's impound lot Dec. 26 for reports of a burglary in progress call. Nathan Zabik was found inside his vehicle that was behind a locked fence. The man was detained and Woodstock determined Zabik didn't have permission to be in the impound lot. Zabik was arrested and booked for trespassing.

These are arrests, not convictions.