Adult, teens charged in Hibbett’s theft

Published 2:00 am Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Information from witnesses and quick action by law-enforcement officials led to the arrest of one adult and six juveniles accused of stealing $2,000 worth of shoes, hats and clothing from an Athens sporting-goods store.

Hibbett’s Sports at 1001 U.S. 72, near Walmart, was burglarized sometime between 10 p.m. Monday and 1 a.m. Tuesday, Athens Police Capt. Floyd Johnson said.

Athens Officer Dusty Meadows was assisting a motorist on U.S. 72 when he heard the store’s alarm sounding.

“He searched the area and found the back door at Hibbett’s had been broken into,” Johnson said.

Officer Tim McIntire found a couple in the Walmart parking lot and asked if they had seen anything out of the ordinary, he said.

“They told McIntire they had seen two trucks circling the parking lot at Walmart and at the front and back of Hibbett’s,” Johnson said.

At McIntire’s request, dispatchers told law-enforcement agencies in the area to be on the lookout for both vehicles. Officer Joe Kimery, saw a truck fitting the description and stopped it on East Forrest Street near Interstate 65, Johnson said.

“When officers approached the vehicle and asked the driver to step out, a pair of gloves fell out of his lap,” Johnson said. “Officers also saw new shoes, caps and clothing in the vehicle. A short time later, Limestone County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Shawley, who was traveling on Alabama 99 at Harris Loop, saw a truck in the ditch. Aware Athens Police were looking for two trucks, he looked inside the vehicle and found new shoes, clothing and caps,” Johnson said.

Athens Police Lt. Trevor Harris and Investigator Johnny Campbell investigated the burglary and arrested Marshall Alexander Taylor, 18, of 18143 Bill Black Road in Athens, and six juveniles in connection with the break-in and theft. Marshall is charged with third-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools, records show. He was booked at the Police Department and transferred to the Limestone County Jail.

The juveniles were released to their parents. The Limestone County Juvenile Probation Office will handle their criminal cases.