Sheriff's Reports 3-22-24: Teen reportedly steals truck in front of undersheriff

A 19-year-old was taken to jail after he allegedly stole a truck in front of law enforcement.

On March 20, Cherokee County Undersheriff James Brown was getting fuel at Casey’s General Store when he observed a man walking back and forth in front of a truck. Brown said the man entered the truck through the passenger side before getting into the driver’s seat and “left in a big hurry.” Brown believed the man had stolen the vehicle and began to follow him. A traffic stop was conducted, and Brown was approaching the vehicle when the driver took off at a high rate of speed. Brown notified dispatch and lost sight of the suspect, who was allegedly driving 100 mph. Deputy Dylan Carder was searching the area of West Stone Chapel Road when he observed a man matching the description of the suspect. Sgt. Ryan Robison advised he located the vehicle abandoned on South 490 Road. Carder made contact with the suspect, and he was positively identified by Brown. The man claimed he didn’t know his name and he was transported to the sheriff’s office to be interviewed. Sgt. Kile Turley discovered the man was identified as 19-year-old Junior Ailon and he claimed to have only been in Tahlequah that day. Ailon refused to speak with investigators and was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

On March 14, Deputy Nick Chute was in the area of Fourth Street when he observed a vehicle matching the description of one that had been involved in drug activity in the area. The deputy could see the vehicle take off at a high rate of speed on Fox Street and began to follow the driver. Chute was able to run the tag information and dispatch advised the tag returned to a trailer company and not the BMW he was following. The vehicle began driving in the middle of the road and Chute activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. Ty Miller was identified as the driver, and the passenger was named Roger Bower. Deputy Austin Carver and his K-9 deputy arrived to assist with the traffic stop. Carver advised this his K-9 alerted on the vehicle and Miller and Bower were asked to exit the vehicle. Deputies located a container of what tested positive for fentanyl and a 22-caliber revolver. Miller and Bower, both convicted felons, were arrested and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center. Miller was booked driving under suspension, fail to maintain lane on road of sufficient width, affixing improper tag, trafficking fentanyl, possession of firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm after felony conviction, and possession of drug proceeds. Bower was booked for possession of a firearm after felony conviction.

Sgt. Ryan Patton was dispatched to 724 Road March 14 to investigate reports of a physical domestic disturbance. The male victim and Kelsey Gann were standing in the yard as Patton arrived. Gann said she jumped on the man as he tried calling 911 because she didn’t “want to go to jail.” She added that she had been drinking alcohol with friends earlier in the night and the victim said he was going to a hotel with the children so they could swim. The victim told Patton he gave the woman a chance to leave, or he would be leaving. He said Gann tackled and assaulted him as he tried to leave. Gann was arrested for domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor.