Sheriff’s Department Makes Arrests in Child Abuse and Theft Cases

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made one arrest for child abuse last week while five others have been charged in various theft investigations.
In his weekly report on crime, Sheriff Patrick Ray says 23 year old Jo Carol Summers of Students Home Road Smithville was arrested Tuesday, January 12th for child abuse of a 4 year old. Through an investigation, deputies learned that Summers struck a 4 year old child with a paint stir stick, hitting the youngster several times on the back and buttocks areas with the stick, causing bruising to those areas. Bond for Summers was set at $5,000 and she will appear in court on January 28th.
27 year old Jacob L. Tramel of Whaley Street Smithville was arrested on Tuesday, January 12th for theft of property over $1,000.. Detectives received a report of a theft on Short Mountain Road, Smithville where the victim stated that on December 15th a diamond ring, valued at over $1,000, was taken from the victim’s residence without consent. Tramel sold the stolen ring to a jewelry dealer in Smithville. Bond for Tramel was set at $10,000 and he will appear in court on February 4th.
26 year old Thomas Jacob Sims of Snow Hill Road, Dowelltown was arrested on Wednesday, January 13th for aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000. Detectives received a report of a theft on January 10th in which someone had stolen a freezer, food, television, and a microwave. These items were taken from a home on Robinson Road without the owner’s consent. Entry was made through a back door to the residence. Though an investigation, detectives identified Sims as a suspect in the crimes. The stolen items have since been recovered. Bond for Sims was set at $50,000 and he will appear in court on February 4th.
On Thursday, January 14th, detectives received a report of a burglary, theft, and vandalism which occurred on January 11th on Cherokee Drive in Smithville. As a result of the investigation, detectives learned that 22 year old Travis Dewayne Rich of Bear Hollow Road, Liberty had broken into the home and stolen a 32 inch television, cable box, sink faucets, and parts to two central heating and air units. During the crime, Rich cut the faucets off from the water lines causing over $10,000 worth of water damage to the homes’ structure and furnishings. Rich was charged with aggravated burglary, theft of property over $10,000 and vandalism over $10,000. Bond for Rich was set at $45,000 and he will appear in court on February 18th. Rich is also a suspect in other break-ins in the county where items such as copper, and televisions, among other items were taken. If you have bought anything from Rich, you are urged to contact DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department detectives or Sheriff Ray at 597-4935.
32 year old Steve A. Stanley and 45 year old Jeffery S. Ponder both of Old Mill Hill Road Dowelltown were arrested on Saturday for burglary and theft of property over $500. After receiving a complaint call of a break-in, deputies caught both men taking items out of a storage building on Dale Ridge Road. Both men had entered a storage building by forcing open a front door and loaded a propane tank, 2 stoves, an electric pump, catalytic converter, and other scrap metal into a truck that they were in. Bond for both men was set at $35,000 and they both will appear in court on February 4th.