Bank theft yields arrest

By Staff
Jason Houston FCT Managing Editor
A joint effort of the Red Bay Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff's Department resulted in the arrest of a Red Bay woman Thursday who is accused of stealing approximately $17,000 from a local financial institution, Sheriff Larry Plott said.
Melissa Holland, 29, of 106 Hospital Road in Red Bay, was arrested and charged with first-degree theft of property. The charge is a Class B felony, punishable by 2-20 years in prison upon conviction.
Investigators said Holland is accused of stealing the money in small cash amounts over the course of the past year. The bank reported the theft to law enforcement agents.
Holland confessed her involvement in the theft, investigators said.
Holland remained in the Franklin County Jail at press time awaiting a bond hearing.
In an unrelated case, Russellville Police arrested a Tuscumbia man Thursday on numerous charges after a traffic stop on U.S. 43.
Russellville Chief Chris Hargett said Jessie Blake Willis, 23, of 5435 Woodmont Drive in Tuscumbia, was arrested after being stopped by Officer Joe Hargett.
He is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, possessing a pistol without a permit, criminal littering, failure to signal, speeding, driving with an expired tag and driving with a revoked license.
Willis remained in the Russellville City Jail at press time awaiting a bond hearing.