By Ronica Shannon
A Berea man was indicted Wednesday by a Madison grand jury on several charges stemming from a Jan. 8 arrest in connection with a Richmond vehicle theft.
Shannon L. Durham, 27, of Calico Road in Berea was indicted on one count of receiving stolen property; driving on a DUI suspended license, fourth offense; aggravated operating a motor vehicle while impaired, third offense; and first-degree persistent felony offender.
If convicted, Durham could receive five to 10 years imprisonment for receiving stolen property, a Class C felony; one to five years imprisonment for driving on a DUI suspended license, fourth offense, a Class D felony; up to one year imprisonment for aggravated operating a motor vehicle while impaired, third offense, a Class A misdemeanor; and 10 to 20 years imprisonment for being a persistent felony offender, a Class B felony.
Officers were dispatched just after 11 p.m. on Jan. 8 to a report of a vehicle stolen from in front of Jimmy John’s restaurant, 112 E. Main Street.
“Officers were advised by the owner that he had parked his vehicle, a 2006 Toyota Matrix, in front of the restaurant and left the engine running while he went inside the eatery to pick up food,” said Sgt. Willard Reardon of the Richmond Police Department. “When he returned, his vehicle was gone.”
Minutes later, it was reported that a vehicle matching that of the stolen Toyota crashed into a rock wall on Big Hill Avenue near the Hines Motel. The vehicle was gone upon the arrival of officers, Reardon said.
“At approximately 11:13 p.m., an officer discovered the stolen vehicle stopped in the roadway on U.S. 25 South (Berea Road),” he said. “As the officer neared the vehicle, he observed a male, later identified as Durham, fleeing on foot from the vehicle. The officer gave pursuit and was able to locate and apprehend Durham a short time later.”
The recovered vehicle had extensive damage to the front end and the left side, Reardon said.
Other indictments:
• Jennifer Thurman, 24, of the 900 block of Villa Drive, Richmond, one count of theft by unlawful taking under $10,000, Class D felony. Thurman “... knowingly took property belonging to Wal-Mart valued at approximately $1,747,” according to the indictment. If convicted, Thurman could receive one to five years imprisonment.
• Mark Phelps, 43, of Brownwood, Texas, one count of flagrant non-support, Class D Felony. According to the indictment, Phelps is at least $1,000 behind on paying child support.
• Angela Terrill, 37, of the 100 block of Cherry Road, Berea, one count of flagrant non-support, Class D Felony. According to the indictment, Terrill is at least $1,000 behind on paying child support.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@
richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
