Thursday, July 11, 2013
Following Foot Chase, Woman Is Charged With Stealing Meds From Deceased Man
A woman captured after leading law enforcement officers on a mile-long foot chase, was later charged with breaking into an Ethridge home to steal medications prescribed to a man recently deceased.
Olivia Sutton Messer, age 22, of 562 Cedar Lane, Lawrenceburg was initially arrested on charges that include evading arrest, possession of Schedule IV narcotics (valium) for the purpose of resale, illegal possession of Schedule II narcotics (roxycodone), illegal possession of Schedule II narcotics (oxycontin), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Her companion, Corey Harrison Kerr, 24, of 18 Kylewood Road, Lawrenceburg was issued charges of tampering with evidence, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, the arrests occurred as a result of a traffic stop conducted along South Locust Avenue.
Deputies report noticing that the driver of a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix narrowly avoided colliding with three cars while pulling onto U.S. Highway 43 from a side road in the Dunn area. They also report that the driver appeared to be having trouble maintaining a lane of travel.
Reports indicate that deputies were acquainted with passenger, Messer, but that she repeatedly provided them with a false name. They report that she denied ownership of a purse that was at her feet, but that it contained papers bearing her name.
Several prescription medication bottles visible inside bore the name of an Ethridge resident, recently deceased, however Messer told officers that she had not known the man, nor did she know why his medication was inside her purse.
Reports show that Messer suddenly fled the scene on foot, running through a wooded area and several back yards. She was captured after running nearly a mile. Deputies report that at the time of her capture, Messer was hiding in a Magnolia tree.
Kerr had been handcuffed and sitting on the ground as Messer fled. As deputies were distracted, he reportedly took the opportunity to throw a bag of marijuana into a nearby bush. Deputies retrieved the plastic baggie, which contained approximately 8 grams of marijuana.
When questioned, Kerr told deputies that Messer had obtained the pills earlier by breaking into an Ethridge home located on Freeman Lane. He stated that he had driven her to the Freeman Lane/U.S. Highway 43 intersection, then parked nearby to await her return.
He said that she was gone for approximately five minutes, returning with the pill bottles. He said that while he drove, she crushed up and snorted several pills.
Both Messer and Kerr were transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center. Messer was incarcerated under a bond of $36,000, and Kerr $3,000.
The following day department investigators met with family members of the deceased victim to initiate a burglary investigation. They reported that in their absence items had been moved about inside the home, and that medications had been taken from a black bag. Nothing else, they said, appeared to be missing.
As a result of the investigation into the break-in additional warrants were obtained against Messer, charging her with one count of aggravated burglary and one count of theft under $500.
Both Messer and Kerr were scheduled an initial appearance in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on Tuesday, July 23, 2013.
