Kohl’s robbery charge to go to grand jury

Local News

December 10, 2009

By Brian Smith The Richmond Register Thu Dec 10, 2009, 08:22 AM EST

A woman charged with first-degree robbery for allegedly threatening to shoot a Kohl’s jewelry clerk before fleeing with $4,500 in merchandise will go before a grand jury.

Connie Garcia, 51, of Churchill Drive, appeared Wednesday in Madison District Court for a preliminary hearing in the case.

Garcia allegedly threatened the clerk by saying, “I’m gonna blow you away,” before demanding jewelry and fleeing the store on foot, police said.

Richmond Police Department Cpl. Tim Craft testified Wednesday that Garcia had a shopping cart filled with jewelry and clothing inside her vehicle in the parking lot when officers arrested her following the incident.

No weapons were found either in the vehicle or in Garcia’s possession when she was arrested, Craft testified.

Madison District Judge Brandy O. Brown found probable cause following the hearing to send the case to a grand jury for possible indictment.

Thanksgiving accident

A man accused of driving a car into a house on W. Kentucky Avenue on Thanksgiving morning also saw his case sent to a grand jury.

James M. Abshear Jr., 32, of Keystone Drive, is facing charges of first-degree wanton endangerment, felony receiving stolen property and driving under the influence for the Nov. 26 accident.

Abshear was behind the wheel of a red 1966 Ford Mustang when he failed to turn at the intersection of S. Poplar Street and Kentucky Avenue, said Officer Daniel Deaton of the Richmond Police Department.

Deaton said the car struck the home’s kitchen, pushing a table into the living room where someone was sleeping.

Abshear was found behind the wheel of the car when officers responded, and had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, Deaton testified. He also complained of an injured knee and was treated at Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center.

The Mustang that Abshear was driving had been reported to police as missing the previous night, and Abshear initially was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle before police charged him with receiving stolen property.

The keys for the Mustang had been stolen from another vehicle parked beside it on a lot in the 800 block of E. Main Street, Deaton said.

Brown found probable cause to send the case to a grand jury following the hearing.

Meth-making

A Richmond man is facing charges of possessing, trafficking in and manufacturing methamphetamine, and those charges also were sent to a grand jury.

Brandon Hilton, no age available, appeared for a preliminary hearing on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, first-degree trafficking in controlled substances, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second-degree fleeing or evading police, driving on a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to produce an insurance card.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Scott Felder testified at the hearing that he went to Hilton’s apartment while investigating a case involving the alleged theft of two chainsaws by another person.

Felder was invited into Hilton’s apartment by two other people who were present, and while there, Felder testified he smelled ether and saw evidence of drug use.

He then called Hilton, who claimed on the phone he had finished methamphetamine for sale and was returning to the apartment.

When Hilton arrived and saw Felder’s police cruiser and a Richmond police officer on the scene, he attempted to flee in his vehicle, Felder said.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers found lithium batteries, plastic bottles and coffee filters filled with meth-making residue and other supplies, Felder said.

A search of Hilton uncovered three packages of suspected methamphetamine in his pocket, Felder said.

A sawed-off, 20-gauge shotgun also was found in the home, Felder said.

Brown sent the case on to a grand jury and agreed to amend Hilton’s bond to $20,000 cash or property.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.

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