Suspect in Christmas Auto Burglaries Arrested
Press Release January 7, 2022Three Arrested for Theft and Burglary Spree
Press Release December 2, 2021Two Charged in Connection with Cleveland TN Bank Robbery
Press Release December 2, 2021Career criminal arrested for crime spree in Bradley County
News, Press Release August 20, 2021CLEVELAND, TN. (August 19, 2021) — Beginning on July 14, 2021, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office began having a rash of thefts and auto thefts reported across the county. Investigators were able to identify Richard Devin Waddle as a suspect in multiple cases. It was determined that he had recently moved to this area from Georgia after being released from prison. It was also discovered that he was a convicted sex offender in Georgia and had not reported his move to Tennessee. During multiple attempts to arrest Mr. Waddle, he evaded arrest on foot and he once attempted to hit a deputy with a stolen vehicle.
On August 19, 2021, Bradley County patrol deputies responded to an auto theft report in the 64 Highway area. While on scene, they were able to identify Richard Waddle as the suspect in that case.
Within an hour of the report, detectives located the vehicle at a residence inside of the city limits. At that time, Officers from the Cleveland Police Department Patrol Division, the Cleveland Police Department Crime Suppression Unit, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Patrol, and the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, responded to the location and had all other occupants of the house come outside.
Waddle refused to come outside and was taken into custody with the assistance of a Cleveland Police Department K9. He was arrested on outstanding warrants for the following charges listed below and additional new charges of Aggravated Assault on an Officer, Felony Evading, and Felony Vandalism, are pending.
- Failure to Appear on Schedule 1 for Resale
- Burglary
- Theft over $60,000
- 2 counts of Theft over $10,000
- 3 counts of Theft over $2,500
- 1 count of Theft over $1,000
- 2 counts of Theft under $1,000
- 2 counts of Vandalism
- 2 counts of Resisting Arrest
- Cruelty to Animals
- Criminal Impersonation
- Alteration of VIN
Sheriff Steve Lawson stated “It is apparent Mr. Waddle came here with an intent to commit crimes against our citizens. As I have previously stated, Bradley County has zero tolerance for thieves. The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and Cleveland Police Department, along with detectives from both departments, did a phenomenal job of apprehending Mr. Waddle, as he absolutely needed to be held accountable for his actions.”
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Man arrested on burglary and theft charges
News, Press Release April 19, 2021Update: All inmates recovered from COVID-19
News, Press Release June 23, 2020
Original Press Release Below:
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. – All inmates at the Bradley County Jail have been offered testing for COVID-19, returning with 32 asymptomatic positive test results. Additionally, seven corrections officers and one contracted employee have tested positive and will remain on medical leave until they are well and return with a negative COVID-19 test.
Since June 10, when the first corrections officer tested a-symptomatic positive, leadership of the Bradley County Jail have worked closely with Quality Correctional Health Care to offer COVID-19 tests to all inmates. These tests were conducted on June 17, with 32 a-symptomatic positive cases confirmed (meaning that at the time of the testing, none had a fever or showed any symptoms). The inmates who tested positive have been reassigned to a designated pod for quarantine and are being monitored by the jail’s medical staff.
All jail employees have been directed to get tested as well. Currently, seven corrections officers and one contracted employee have tested positive and have been directed by the Bradley County Health Department or their personal physician to quarantine. These employees will remain on medical leave until they are well and return with a negative COVID-19 test.
“Given the circumstances, I believe that we prevented the spread of this virus in our jail as long we possibly could have,” says Sheriff Steve Lawson. “After the first corrections officer tested positive, it was only right for us to offer testing to each and every one of our inmates.”
The jail’s medical staff will continue to screen all incoming inmates and will administer COVID-19 tests to any inmates who show symptoms. A mandatory PPE policy continues to be in effect for any employees who enter the jail and regular cleanings will remain on an on-going schedule.
Sheriff Lawson goes on to say: “Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have taken every precaution that our resources would allow. Although the virus has begun presenting itself in our jail, we will continue to do everything we can to proactively slow the spread and protect the health of our employees and inmates.”
Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted List
News, Press Release June 5, 2020BRADLEY COUNTY, TN – The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office published it’s Most Wanted List and asks anyone who has any information to contact them.
“If you have any information that would aid in the capture of these fugitives, please call 423-728-7336 (Criminal Investigation Division tip line) or leave us an anonymous tip on tip411.com,” stated the sheriff’s office Facebook Page.
UPDATE: MARK RYMER HAS BEEN CAPTURED
After investigating a residential burglary, BCSO authorities located and arrested Mark Rymer, one of Bradley County’s Most Wanted on outstanding warrants. Gregory Letsingers (AKA Gregory Caldwell), who was also involved in the burglary, was arrested by Cleveland Police Department.
On May 17 of 2020, Bradley County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives responded to a residential burglary in southern Bradley County, where the victim advised an SUV had quickly fled from his driveway when he arrived. Victim also advised that his home had been broken into with several items missing. After conducting interviews, detectives learned that there was a pickup truck present at the scene as well.
Four days later, on May 21, Cleveland TN Police Department Officers arrested Gregory Letsinger (AKA Gregory Caldwell) during another burglary on Adkisson Drive. The truck he was using to commit the burglary matched the description of the one seen at the previous burglary. BCSO detectives responded to the scene on Adkisson Drive and recovered some of the stolen property in the truck from the initial residential burglary. Letsinger was charged and arrested for Aggravated Burglary and Theft over $2500.
On the same day as Letsinger/Caldwell’s arrest, further investigation led to a search warrant being obtained for Mark Rymer’s residence on Lead Mine Valley Road. During the execution of that search warrant the SUV described by the victim as committing the residential burglary was located along with multiple other items stolen from that burglary. A Penske trailer stolen from Chattanooga with the VIN numbers removed was located during the search warrant as well. Other items stolen from a separate theft in Chattanooga were also located at the residence along with a resale amount of marijuana. Warrants were issued on Mark Rymer for Aggravated Burglary, two counts of Theft over $2500, Theft over $1000, Alteration of VIN, and Possession of Schedule VI (marijuana) for Resale.
On May 29, Rymer was located by authorities from the BCSO Fugitive Division and Patrol Division at a residence on Wilhoit Drive. He was arrested without incident and booked on the outstanding warrants.