Truck, dog theft suspect in custody
May 19 Russellville police officers took suspect Shawn Allen Scott, 32, into custody in relation to the theft of a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado.
The truck was reportedly stolen May 18, along with the items in the truck – including the vehicle owner’s dog, according to the Russellville Police Department.
According to RPD Sgt. Jake Tompkins, the theft occurred around 8:50 a.m. at the Legacy Chevron in Russellville on Highway 43. Officers attempted to locate the vehicle by searching the surrounding area and were able to develop a suspect pretty quickly, Tompkins said.
“Through surveillance footage, I was able to map out his timeline at the local businesses leading up to theft of the vehicle,” Tompkins said.
The RPD began to spread Scott’s information in efforts to locate and question him.
Tompkins said Scott called the RPD and wanted to know what was going on. Officers informed him he was a suspect in the theft. Scott admitted to having the dog in his possession in Iuka, Miss., but put the blame for the theft on other people.
“He was blaming others, which is pretty common. He said other people had stolen the truck and picked him up in it,” Tompkins said.
RPD investigators traveled to Iuka to interview Scott, who signed a waiver of extradition to come back to Alabama, Tompkins said.
During transport, Tompkins said Scott managed to kick out one of the back windows of the police car and jump out of the window, despite being handcuffed. The officer who was driving stopped the vehicle in time to get out and place the suspect back into custody without a chase ensuing.
Some of the items in the vehicle have been recovered, but not all of them, Tompkins said. The victim’s dog was safely recovered and returned to the victim, who is a Russellville resident. Officers are still trying to locate the truck, according to Tompkins.
Scott was charged with two counts theft of property first degree, five counts theft of property second degree, escape third degree and destruction of government property.
His bond is set at $50,000.
This is just one of a “rash of car thefts lately,” according to Tompkins.
