Deputy’s timing foiled major theft in the act

Sevier County Sheriff’s Deputy Joey Mathews, a former UT Quarterback, was making a routine security drive through the Seymour Business Park parking lot at approximately 4:30 a.m. this past Sunday morning and noticed an individual jump off a parked forklift and begin running. Deputy Mathews yelled “Stop”, as he jumped out of the vehicle and began racing after the individual. At the same time Deputy Mathews radioed to fellow Sevier County Sheriff’s Deputy Johnny Bohanan, “I got one running - I got him on foot – there’s another one driving off”. Deputy Bohanan was within a short distance and immediately responded by driving towards the Seymour Business Park on Highway 411. On the way, he noticed a car had just pulled out from behind the strip mall next to the apartment building located on Maryville Highway (Hwy. 411). He perceived that the driver had thrown beer cans and a case of beer out the window and was attempting to get away when Deputy Bohanan apprehended the driver at the entrance to Cherokee Hills. “When I was coming over the hill on Hwy. 411 and noticed the car driving out from behind the buildings at this hour, I know it didn’t look right”, state Deputy Bohanan. According to Deputy Bohanan the boys confessed to breaking into a parked truck as well as attempting to hot-wire the forklift. Deputy Mathews believes the boys were going to hotwire the forklift so they could make an entrance into the building. The 15 year-old had a pocket full of Star Burst Candy in his pocket. Both boys confessed to Deputy Bohanan they stole the case of beer and candy from Seymour Kroger’s just prior to going to the Seymour Business Park. It was unknown at press time if Kroger’s was going to press charges. The teenagers were arrested and were charged with burglary and theft according to Deputy Mathews. It was unknown at the time if there would be other charges filed. The vehicle was impounded and towed away by Ralph Gibson, Jr. of Chapman Hwy. Wrecker Service. Sergeant David Robertson also appeared on the scene.