Published: October 30, 2009 08:00 pm      

Police: Woman charged with theft hides pills

A woman wanted on misdemeanor theft and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges received an additional charge — a felony — following her Thursday arrest.

Misty L. Downey, 29, of Edwards Avenue, was wanted on the misdemeanor charges in connection with the alleged theft of $170 from a vehicle she had borrowed and not returned at the agreed-upon time, said Sgt. Willard Reardon, Richmond Police Department spokesman.

The victim told police Oct. 9 that he had loaned the vehicle to Downey for a short time, and discovered afterward that she had allegedly taken $170 from his wallet, Reardon said.

Downey failed to return the vehicle on time, and police later recovered the vehicle the next day behind the Madison County Public Library’s branch in Richmond.

An arrest warrant was sworn out Oct. 15 charging her with the offenses, Reardon said. Police found Downey on Thursday at the intersection of E. Main Street and Estill Avenue and placed her under arrest.

As Downey was being transported to the Madison County Detention Center, she allegedly attempted to conceal a Valium pill, a Soma pill and two Neurontin pills in the cruiser’s back seat, Reardon said.

Downey additionally was charged with tampering with physical evidence, a Class D felony, and third-degree possession of a controlled substance.



Forged check

Police made an arrest Tuesday in the case of an invalid check cashed last month at Wade’s Pawn.

The check, for $385, was cashed on Sept. 5 by Donald A. Fitzpatrick, 36, no address given, and was purportedly from a Lexington business.

The check was returned to Wade’s Pawn after the bank discovered it was not drawn on a valid account, Reardon said.

A warrant for second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument was obtained on Sept. 9, and Fitzpatrick was served with the warrant while he was being held in the Madison County Detention Center on unrelated charges, Reardon said.



Other crimes

• A Booneville man was arrested Thursday by the Owsley County Sheriff’s Department in connection with a theft from the Richmond Walmart, Reardon said.

Jimmy A. Gibson, 22, is accused of stealing a 32-inch Vizio LCD television from the store in August by carrying the item through the garden department without paying, Reardon said.

Police identified Gibson as a suspect following the theft and obtained an arrest warrant Sept. 2.

Gibson is lodged in the Three Forks Detention Center in Beattyville pending a Madison County court appearance, Reardon said.

• Electronics and a teacup Chihuahua were reported stolen Tuesday from an apartment in the 100 block of S. Killarney Lane.

The resident told police the items had been stolen within the past week, and there were no signs of forced entry.

The Chihuahua was a female, white with tan markings on her back, Reardon said.

The missing items included a 50-inch Samsung plasma television, a JVC mini-stereo system, a Dell desktop computer and monitor, a Canon printer, a radio/CD player and 125 DVDs.

All the stolen items were valued at more than $5,300.

• A visitor to a residence on Parrish Avenue on Wednesday accidentally left her purse at the home, and the purse was missing when she returned, Reardon said.

The purse contained a pink Polaroid digital camera, a blue Samsung cellular phone, five 10-karat gold diamond rings, two cluster rings and two other rings, the victim told police.

The items were valued at $720.

• A counterfeit $100 bill was passed Wednesday at the Chevron gas station on W. Main Street, the manager told police.

The bill bore the serial number DF00050852.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 623-1162 or 623-8911.



Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.