November 10, 2024
Home ยป Leave It To A Professional Part #347

Leave It To A Professional Part #347

A dispute over ownership of a vehicle ended up with a man who thought he was the owner being charged with theft of property and vandalism Friday.

The series of incidents began around 9:20 p.m. Friday at a North Main Street tattoo shop where a woman identified as Patricia May allegedly told the owner she was attempting to repossess a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban SUV from Austin and Lauren Wheat of McMinnville. After being told by May the Wheats were allegedly becoming “agitated” and Austin Wheat allegedly argued with him, the shop owner put a gun against a window of their vehicle and gave them five minutes to get their belongings and leave. Lauren Wheat notified police at that point.

Sgt. Tory Moore’s report indicate all involved met separately at Shelbyville police headquarters, where he told May repeatedly she couldn’t repossess the vehicle without a court order and should contact a professional repossession firm with a tow truck. The Wheats agreed to hand over the SUV’s keys if they were allowed to remove their property. They left the building to find May had contacted a relative with a wrecker, who had picked up the SUV and left. The Wheats were told they could pick up their belongings Saturday at a Shelbyville wrecker service.

Approximately 30 minutes later Austin Wheat allegedly drove the SUV away from the tow-in lot, damaging another vehicle used to block it in, according to police.

Austin Wheat was charged with theft of property (motor vehicle) and vandalism and is being held on $15,000 bond at Bedford County Jail. No one else was charged.