Bizarre in the Boro: Dumb theft of dumbbells

Feb 03, 2018 at 10:00 am by Michelle Willard


A pair of cat burglars left a trail of evidence when they snatched three sets of dumbbells from the gym at an apartment complex near MTSU campus, according to a report from the Murfreesboro Police Department.

First, a surveillance video caught a white man in a gray hoodie and a white woman in a tie-dyed jacket placing three sets of weights, valued at more than $400, in a black bag and leaving the workout room.

Then additional footage showed the pair placing the bag in a white Ford Fusion in the parking lot.

Finally, the investigation found a man had called Play It Again sports and asked about selling the exact type of weights that were stolen.

Investigators put the pieces of the puzzle together and found the tag number on the car returned to a woman in Lascassas. And police believe they know the identity of the man because of the phone call.

Don't eat meth

A 50-year-old Virginia man was arrested after reportedly trying to eat a baggie of meth, according to an arrest report from the Murfreesboro Police Department.

Fred Wilson of Bristol, Va. was sitting suspiciously in a parking lot at a motel on Armory Drive in Murfreesboro when he was spotted by MPD detectives. As they approached in their cruiser, he pulled out of the parking lot.

The detectives followed and pulled the truck over. The detectives said they were approaching Wilson's vehicle when they saw him put his hand under the driver's seat.

To protect themselves from a possible weapon or to keep the subject from destroying evidence, they ordered Wilson to keep his hands visible and put his keys on the roof of the truck, the report said.

"The subject kept reaching under the driver's seat with his right hand," the report said.

So the detectives ordered him out of his vehicle. When he was out, they placed him in handcuffs, the report said.

"Upon speaking with the subject, (one) detective observed a small plastic baggie in the subject's mouth," the report said.

When they tried to fish it out, he tried to swallow it. But after a brief wrestling match that left Wilson with his face on the asphalt, the detectives were able to retrieve the baggie.

A field test of the baggie tested positively for methamphetamine.

"Mr. Wilson stated he was in the back parking lot of the motel, doing meth before he went to his room," the arrest report said.

Wilson was charged with possession of drugs and tampering with evidence.


Michelle Willard is a freelance journalist who fills her days with social media marketing, politics, true crime, and taking complaints. You can complain to her on Twitter @MichWillard or by email michelle(at)murfreesborovoice.com.

Sections: Crime & Safety