The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests last week, including one man who was opening up bank accounts in other people’s names.
Sheriff Patrick Ray told the Smithville Review that on June 17, 37-year-old Jason Ryan Chapman of North Mill Street, Dowelltown, was arrested for a string of crimes beginning in February 2021.
According to Sheriff Ray, on February 26, Chapman forged the name of an individual on a check from Covington Credit with the intent to defraud the victim. That same day, Chapman allegedly took a check issued to another victim with the intent to deprive them of $556.41.
On May 10, Chapman was at it once again. Authorities say that Chapman attempted to obtain $1,648 from a Wilson Bank and Trust account that he opened in the name of someone else. Chapman did not have consent to open the bank account, and did it with the intent to deprive Wilson Bank and Trust of their money. That same day, authorities say that Chapman obtained $448 from a Regions Bank account with the intent to deprive the owner of their money.
Sheriff’s officials also allege that on May 28, Chapman knowingly used the identity of another individual to open up an account at Wells Fargo with the intent to deprive the victim of funds. The victim advised that they had not given consent to Chapman to open an account in their name.
Chapman is charged with identity theft, three counts of theft of property, and forgery. He is under a $32,500 bond.
In other sheriff’s news, on June 16, 21-year-old Robert Stephen Derrick of Toad Road, Dowelltown, was arrested after he allegedly tried to outrun a deputy.
Sheriff Ray said that deputy observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Midway Road at a high rate of speed and swerving all over the roadway. The deputy then activated his lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle continued at a high rate of speed and was still pulling from the deputy’s vehicle.
The vehicle then wrecked on Midway Road, near Page Drive. The driver was found to be Derrick, and a female was found in the passenger seat.
Due to Derrick’s actions, he placed the female in danger of serious bodily injury or death. He is charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest. He is under a $12,500 bond and is due to appear in court on June 24.
On June 19, 32-year-old Kimberly Ann Blanchfield of Nashville Highway, Dowelltown, was arrested for violating an order of protection.
According to Sheriff Ray, a deputy was dispatched to a home on Nashville Highway for a report of an unwanted guest. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the homeowner who advised that his daughter, Blanchfield, was at the residence causing problems and was possibly under the influence.
The complainant also advised that he was the petitioner of an active order of protection and that Blanchfield was the respondent. Through a check with Central Dispatch, the order of protection was confirmed.
Blanchfield, who was found in the driveway of the property, was taken into custody. She is under a $2,500 bond and is due in court on July 22.
