Tree stand theft lands Jellico man in jail

natasha@lafollettepress.com  

Jeffrey L. King was charged with theft last month and recently arrested when evidence showed him as the alleged thief of a tree stand.

According to the Jellico Police Department complaint report, an off duty Jellico officer observed a tree stand missing from the back of his pick up truck when he returned to his vehicle in the parking lot of First Volunteer Bank on 5th Street.

The report indicates on Nov. 24, when the victim returned to his truck after conducting business inside the bank, he noticed the tree stand was missing.

A citizen inquiring if a tree stand had been reported missing approached Captain Jeff Partin two days later.

“(The citizen) stated that the defendant (King) approached him on Nov. 24, at Douglas Food Mart and asked him if he would give him a ride out to the four-lane,” said Partin.

The citizen agreed to drive King to his destination, making a detour to pick up a tree stand that was propped up against a building in a gravel parking lot off of Broad Street, according to the report.

“The defendant (King) then asked (the citizen) if he would take him to a pawn shop,” said Partin.

The citizen again assisted in taking King to the pawn shop, which King explained was too far for him to carry the tree stand to, the report states.

“The citizen stated he took King to the pawn shop by K and P drive thu,” said Partin. “He then stated he gave the defendant a ride back to the A-Towers on 5th Street and the defendant gave him $2 and got out.”

The report indicates the victim identified the tree stand as belonging to him. The owner of the pawnshop stated he gave the defendant $40 for the stand. The stand had an estimated value of $300 according to the report.

King was charged with theft of property under $500.