Brian Smith
Richmond police charged a Ballard Drive man with receiving stolen property and theft by deception charges Nov. 24 following a pair of lengthy investigations.
James Mason Shanks, 37, was in custody at the Madison County Detention Center on unrelated charges when the warrants against him were served, said Sgt. Willard Reardon, Richmond Police Department spokesman.
Shanks was charged with receiving stolen property, a firearm, in connection with a Feb. 23 burglary at a home in the 400 block of Hawthorne Drive, Reardon said.
Four guns were stolen from the home, and an investigation uncovered evidence that Shanks had the guns shortly after the theft.
The theft by deception charge stems from the purchase of more than $5,400 in materials from Ferguson Enterprises on N. Keeneland Drive.
Shanks allegedly purchased the materials by charging them to the account of another business despite not being an employee of that business, Reardon said.
Meth arrest
A broken windshield led to a Nov. 23 arrest for methamphetamine possession, Reardon said.
Joshua B. Long, 29, of Foxhaven Drive, was pulled over around 10:30 p.m. on N. Keeneland Drive for driving with a broken windshield.
During the stop, the officer learned Long’s driver’s license was suspended and took Long into custody, Reardon said.
During a search, the officer found a small bag of suspected methamphetamine on Long. The officer then searched Long’s car and found two bottles of prescription medication that were not prescribed to Long, Reardon said.
Long was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a prescription drug and lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.
Air conditioners
A set of three commercial air conditioners at a Richmond business were reported vandalized Nov. 23, and the vandal removed copper from the units.
The owner of the former Richmond Flea Market at 1618 Northgate Drive reported the damage to police, Reardon said. One side had been removed from each of the units and all the copper was stolen, causing $15,000 in damage.
The thefts apparently took place within the last three months, Reardon said.
Robbery arrest
A 38-year-old woman was charged with second-degree robbery Nov. 24 after a JCPenney employee was injured while trying to detain her for suspected shoplifting.
Sherry L. White of E. Irvine Street allegedly tried to leave the store without paying for merchandise, Reardon said. When an employee attempted to detain her, a struggle ensued, and the employee suffered minor injuries and torn clothing.
Police responded to the store and took White into custody. She was lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.
Stolen trailer
Police are investigating the theft of a $600 tilt-bed trailer from a home on Reynolds Drive.
The trailer was reported stolen Nov. 24 from outside a home in the 300 block of Reynolds Drive, where it had been parked overnight.
The black 2001 Gatormade trailer is 5 feet by 8 feet and has a mesh floor, Reardon said.
Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 623-1162 or 623-8911.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
