McKenzie Police Reports

Leaving the Scene of an Accident — On December 15, Sgt. Davis responded to a hit-and-run call at Dollar General located on Highway 22 in McKenzie. Upon arriving on scene a witness described a white male wearing a hat, black hoodie, and shorts, stating the male got into a gold pickup truck and backed into a black Honda Civic that was sitting in a parking spot near the front of the store. The witness said the driver never stopped and left the scene heading toward Gleason on Hwy 22. 

The vehicle that was struck was a black 2009 Honda Civic. The vehicle had damage on the driver’s side. The owner said she found out what happened by the witness at which point she called the police. The store does not have cameras outside but did capture the male described checking out and leaving the store right before the accident occurred.

On December 16, the male later identified as Thomas Ballew came to the police department and wanted to speak to an officer. Ballew advised he was the driver involved in a hit-and-run the night before at Dollar General. Ballew stated he wasn’t sure he hit anything.

Upon inspection, some damage on the truck could have been caused by him backing into the parked Civic during the original accident. Ballew did eventually admit he told Emily Hammett he did it. Ballew stated he left the scene because he was scared. Ballew was issued a citation for leaving the scene. He was advised his court date would be on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Henry County General Sessions Court.

Failure to Appear — On December 16, Kimberly Hamilton arrived at the McKenzie Police Department to pick up her vehicle from the city’s impound lot. Patrolman Dalton Raspberry advised Hamilton that she had an active arrest warrant issued by the Carroll County General Session Court for failure to appear with a $2,500 bond. She was taken into custody and transported to the Carroll County Jail. 

Driving on Suspend/Financial Responsibility/Light-Motor Vehicles — On Thursday, December 16, Patrolman Dustin McClure observed a 2012 Dodge Avenger traveling south along Highland Dr. A stop was initiated due to the brake lights not functioning properly.

Dispatch informed the officer that the driver, Fred Spiker of Paris, had a suspended license. Spiker was informed he would be cited in Carroll County General Sessions and was advised to book himself into Carroll County jail within the next 10 days. 

Driving on Suspend/Revoked License — On December 19, Officer Matthew Cunningham performed a traffic stop for a light law violation on a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Dispatch informed the officer that the driver, Jennifer Owenby, had a suspended license out of Weakley County General Sessions.  She was cited for light law violation, financial responsibility and driving on a suspended license. Ownby was advised to report to the Carroll County jail within the next 10 days. 

Contempt of Court — On December 19, Patrolman Dustin McClure observed a 2000 Nissan Altima driving west on Cedar St. The officer initiated a traffic stop due to a headline not functioning. Dispatch advised that the driver, identified as Terin Harris, had an active warrant for her arrest in Benton County for Contempt of Court. Harris was arrested and transported to the Carroll County Jail.

Criminal Trespass — On Thursday, December 19, Officer Bryan Batchelder observed Athena Stafford walking on the sidewalk of Walnut Lane. The officer notified dispatch who in turn advised that Stafford had an active capias warrant (a court order that authorizes law enforcement to arrest and detain a person to ensure they appear in court) for criminal trespass. Stafford was placed under arrest and transported to the Carroll County Jail. 

Criminal Trespass — On Thursday, December 19, Maurice Lawrence was observed on the property of Pockets Gas Station. Sgt. Davis was informed of Davis’s ban dating back to December 21, 2013. Lawrence was arrested for criminal trespassing and transported to the Carroll County Jail. 

Possession of Methamphetamines/Drug Paraphernalia — On December 18, officers were notified by Investigator Steven Scott, who was off duty, that Michael Gilbert was observed at Casey’s Convenience Store. Inv. Scott proceeded to follow Gilbert and updated on-duty officers.

Sgt. Beauchamp initiated a traffic stop on Elm Street. Upon exiting the vehicle, officers found what appeared to be methamphetamines in Gilbert’s pocket. A glass pipe was recovered. Gilbert was arrested and transported to Carroll County Jail.

Burglary — On December 20, the McKenzie Police Department was dispatched to Walnut Ave for a vehicle break-in. Officers were advised by dispatch that two subjects were running down Booker Street. 

Patrolman Dillon made contact with the caller who stated she had heard the sound of a car door shutting. When she and others inside the home went to check the vehicles, they observed a black Ford F-150 had its tailgate down and the driver and passenger doors were open. Then they observed the two unidentified suspects running down Booker Street. 

The caller was given the Sgt. Jackson’s card and was advised to contact the Police Department if anything was noted as missing in the truck.