Friday, November 22, 2013
Alabama Trio Apprehended While Stealing Scrap Metal
Law enforcement officers working an unrelated case arrested three Alabama residents Thursday after finding that they were stealing scrap metal from a Summertown property.
According to a press release issued through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, detectives spotted a small car bearing Alabama license plates parked off the roadway with the hood up.
They report that when they stopped to offer assistance the driver began to exhibit extremely nervous behavior.
While speaking with the man detectives noticed a second man dropping items into a nearby cooler. When they made contact with the man, they report finding a woman lying down amidst the remains of the foundation of a house.
Detectives report that evidence, “Led them to believe the
three were stealing scrap metal from the property.”
The trio was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center for incarceration.
James Ruben Hatter, 35, of 1696 Happy Hollow Road, 
Elkmont, Alabama was issued charges of theft under $500 and criminal trespassing.
Vernia Beatrice Neis, 39, of 16606 Hampton Lane, Athens, Alabama was jailed under charges of theft under $500, criminal trespassing, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Ryan Oneil Woods, 25, of 19930 Paris Lane, Athens, 
Alabama was incarcerated for the crimes of theft under $500, criminal trespassing, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bond for Hatter was set at $4,000. Woods and Neis were incarcerated under a bond of $6,000 apiece.
