Sheriff's Reports 10-16-24: Burglary suspects allegedly caught with stolen property

Two men were caught on video allegedly stealing property from a local river business.

On Sept. 25, Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Justin Richardson was dispatched to All American Floats on State Highway 10 for reports of a burglary that was in progress. Dispatch advised that the suspected vehicles left the property and were headed toward Tahlequah. A description of the vehicles were given to deputies and Sgt. Aaron Johnson said he believed both vehicles were at EZ Mart on Downing Street. Richardson arrived at the store and met with one of the drivers, Kenneth Ray Bell. Bell claimed he and the other driver, Brandon Ray Lee Dawson, were coming from Lake Tenkiller. Bell also said they were at All American Floats to use the restroom. Bell admitted to stealing property from the business. Video footage purportedly showed Bell and Dawson stealing an air compressor and a fan. Bell and Dawson were transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center and booked for second-degree burglary and petit larceny.

On Oct. 5, Deputy Jimmie Robertson was dispatched to North Wakins Street for an "unknown issue." Dispatch advised that the caller needed an individual removed from the home. A woman told the deputy Austin Day needed to be removed and accused him of being violent and aggressive. Day told the deputy he didn't do anything wrong and reportedly became agitated. A struggle ensued between Day and Robertson before Day was taken to the ground and detained. The woman said there was an argument over dogs when Day tried to "push through" her to pick up one of the dogs, and she fell down. Day claimed the woman wouldn't let him leave with the dogs, which he said belonged to him. Day was arrested and as he was being transported to jail, he began slamming his head against the cage in Robertson's patrol unit. Robertson told Day to stop and the man said he was going to kill himself, so the deputy had to drive him to the hospital. Day began hitting his head against the cage again and was taken to jail. He was placed in a restraint chair for safety reasons and booked on tribal charges for obstruction and resisting arrest.

Deputy Richardson was patrolling in the area of State Highway 82 and Allen Road Oct. 6 when he observed a Jeep cross the center line several times. Richardson conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was identified as Billy Joe Sunday, III. The deputy said there was an odor of alcohol coming from vehicle and he could see two beers in the cupholders. Sunday was arrested after a field sobriety test and booked for aggravated driving under the influence, transporting an open container, and failure to maintain lane.

On Oct. 7, Deputy Jaxon Thomlinson was called to North 493 Road due to a male who was reportedly causing a disturbance and broke a door. Micah Holcomb had an odor of alcohol coming from his person and was arrested for public intoxication.

Lt. Tanner Hendley was on patrol Oct. 7 in the area of State Highway 82 when he observed a vehicle parked at a closed business with its headlights on. Hendley could see the driver, who appeared to be passed out behind the wheel, and the keys in the ignition. The vehicle was not running. The driver, Brent Gragg, said he consumed alcohol and he was arrested after a field sobriety test. Gradd was booked for aggravated driving under the influence and transporting an open container.

On Oct. 7, Deputy Kevin Cohen was dispatched to South Cherokee Lane to conduct a welfare check wherein a man was reportedly intoxicated and stated he was going to "kill someone in an RV." The deputy met with Patrick Williams, who he said had an odor of alcohol from his breath or person. Williams said he was planning on driving his RV while his daughter would drive the car. Deputy Jaxon Thomlinson checked Williams and advised he wasn't in the condition to operate a motor vehicle. Williams said his daughter could drive him, but she had a driver's permit. Deputies said the girl couldn't drive Williams since he was reportedly intoxicated and Williams allegedly became agitated. Williams was arrested and booked for public intoxication.

Deputy Nick Chute responded to West Robin Drive Oct. 5 due to a violation of a protective order. A woman advised that she received a notification that Joey Case was attempting to call her from the Cherokee County Detention Center. Investigators confirmed that Case tried contacting the woman on three different occasions on Oct. 5. Case was still incarcerated and the charge of violation of a protective order was added.

These are arrests, not convictions.