Law & Order

STEWARTSVILLE

Stolen tractor recovered

Tips from the community led to the recovery of a tractor valued at $53,000.

“This is another example of how important the citizens are,” Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis said.

Willis said investigators found the tractor, a 2007 Massey Ferguson, on Wednesday afternoon in a vacant field on Alabama 20, about a mile north of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

The tractor was taken from a residence on Lauderdale 100 in Killen earlier this week.

Willis said no one was at the residence near where the tractor was found, and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about who is responsible for the stolen tractor is asked to call the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s office at 256-760-5757 or Shoals Area CrimeStoppers at 256-386-8685.

RUSSELLVILLE

Couple charged in meth-making

A Franklin County couple is in jail after authorities found a small amount of meth and items used in the manufacturing process at their home.

James Edward Gray, 45, 1870 Alabama 172, Apt. 26, Hodges, is charged with attempted first-degree manufacturing a controlled substance, first-degree theft of property and attempting to elude, officials said. His wife, Angela Gray, 42, same address, is charged with attempted first-degree manufacturing a controlled substance and attempted second-degree manufacturing a controlled substance.

The arrests were made Tuesday in a joint operation between the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Russellville police.

Authorities said the arrests were a result of a traffic stop in Russellville where several boxes of medication containing pseudoephedrine, the key component in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, were found in the car.

The stop led to the residence in Hodges where a small amount of meth was found with other items and ingredients needed in the manufacturing process.

While police were at the residence, James Gray came by the on a four-wheeler reported stolen from another residence in the apartment complex.

Investigators stopped him on Main Street in Hodges after a quarter of a mile chase. When he was arrested, deputies found items on the four-wheeler used in the manufacturing process, according to reports. The couple is in the Franklin County Jail.

TUSCUMBIA

Concerns lead to drug arrest

Numerous complaints from neighbors and family members triggered an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a Colbert County man for distribution of prescription pills, officials said.

Shawn Softley, 32, 3110 Cooks Lane, Tuscumbia, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, according to Curtis Burns, director of the Colbert County Drug Task Force.

Burns said Softley was arrested Tuesday evening at his residence after undercover agents purchased OxyContin, a strong pain pill, from him at his residence.

“After the buy was made, agents went to his residence and Softley gave us permission to search the residence,” Burns said. “Agents found several more pills hidden in a sugar jar. And he did not have a prescription for the pills.”

Burns said this is the third distribution case made against Softley for selling OxyContin in the past year.

Reports indicate Softley is out on a suspended sentence for a prior drug conviction. He was in the Colbert County Jail on Wednesday without bail.

ARRESTS

Russellville police

Alan Dwight Heupel, 51, Alf King Road, Spruce Pine; third-degree burglary, second-degree theft of property and third-degree theft of property. He is accused of breaking into a business and residence in Spruce Pine.

REPORTS

Florence police

A Marine-issued digital duffle bag, four sets of clothing and other items were taken from a 1996 white Jeep Grand Cherokee parked in the 1800 block of Marlborough Boulevard.

A 160-watt DVD receiver was taken from a 1999 white Ford Crown Victoria parked in the 200 block of North Pine Street.

A DVD player was taken from a 1991 black Chevrolet truck parked on Belview Road.

A window air conditioning unit was taken from a residence in the 400 block of Cypress Street.

More than 400 vehicle wheel rotors and drums were taken from a business in the 2000 block of Florence Boulevard.

A cell phone was taken from a 2002 silver Chevrolet Impala parked on South Court Street.

A patio set including four chairs and a round glass table were taken from a residence on South Conner Street.

A window air conditioning unit was taken from a residence in the 500 block of South O’Neal Street.

A brown leather purse, wallet, $90 cash, driver’s license, Social Security card and debit card were taken from a residence in the 1300 block of St. Charles Street.

A refrigerator, three dressers, an air compressor, 27-inch television, washer, wood table and baker’s rack were taken from a residence on South Spurr Street.

A 2005 red Dodge Neon was damaged while parked in the 1500 block of Helton Drive.

A wallet, $120 cash and driver’s license were taken from a 2005 red Oldsmobile Alero parked in the 300 block of Sherrod Court.

Cash totaling $20 and a purse were taken from a 2007 white Toyota Highlander that was parked in the 2300 block of Sherrod Avenue.

More than two dozen CDs and a bottle of prescription drugs were taken from a 2004 gray Nissan Titan that was parked in the 2300 block of Houston Street.

A cast iron bathtub, a gas heater and 200 pieces of china were taken from a residence in the 1300 block of St. Clair Street.

A digital camera was taken from a residence in the 100 block of Cox Creek Parkway.

Two vehicles parked in the 300 block of Royal Avenue were damaged.

A storage building in the 4000 block of Huntsville Road was damaged.

A laptop was taken from a residence in the 500 block of Mars Hill Road.

A 1200-watt amplifier, two speakers and MP3 player were taken from a 1993 maroon GMC Jimmy parked in the 500 block of West Mobile Street.

Cash totaling $30 was taken from a 2006 white Toyota Four-Runner that was parked in the 2300 block of Parc Place.

A swimming pool cleaner was taken from a residence in the 1100 block of Dixie Avenue.

A 2005 maroon Dodge Neon was damaged while parked on South Eclipse Street.

A 2008 black Ford Edge was taken from the 1600 block of Florence Boulevard.

A business in the 2600 block of Florence Boulevard was damaged.

A purse, cell phone, digital camera, keys, wallet and $17 cash were taken from a 1994 white Ford Explorer parked in the 700 block of West Lakeside Drive.

A 1995 Buick Regal was taken from the 200 block of North Franklin Street.

More than $1,600 in fishing equipment was taken from a fishing boat parked in the 800 block of Cox Creek Parkway.

A CD player was taken from a 1993 white Chevrolet Suburban parked in the 700 block of East Tuscaloosa Street.

A camera was taken from the 500 block of High Street.

Two 12-inch speakers were taken from a 1993 silver Honda Accord parked in the 100 block of Roxie Drive.

A purse, keys, driver’s license and $39 cash were taken from a 1996 red Ford Taurus parked in the 500 block of South Magnolia Street.

A laptop, three rings and an 18-inch gold chain were taken from a residence in the 2000 block of Cloyd Boulevard.

Assorted jewelry was taken from a residence in the 3000 block of Mars Hill Road.

A vehicle license plate with registration sticker was taken from a 2000 green Chrysler Voyager that was parked in the 1400 block of Carver Heights.

Cash totaling $80 was taken from a white and tan Ford Mustang that was parked in the 700 block of West Lakeside Drive.

An air conditioning unit was taken from a residence in the 900 block of Pruitt Street.

A cell phone was taken from a residence in the 1000 block of Spring Court.

A set of golf clubs was taken from a residence in the 1700 block of Decatur Avenue.

A Navy military identification, an Alabama driver’s license, $150 cash, animal skin wallet and debit and credit cards were taken from a business in the 300 block of Cox Creek Parkway.

A 1997 gold Ford Escort was taken from North Wood Avenue.

Copper was taken from an air conditioning unit that was at a residence on Perry Street.

A business in the 300 block of Cox Creek Parkway was damaged.

A building in the 100 block of West College Street was damaged.

Sheffield police

A vehicle license tag was taken from a 1979 GMC truck parked in the 400 block of St. Louis Avenue.

Two microphones and other sound equipment were taken from a storage facility in the 1500 block of Tennessee Street.

Two soap items were taken from a business in the 800 block of South Montgomery Avenue.

An orange flashlight was taken from a business in the 100 block of Cox Boulevard.

A camper at 905 Broadway Street was damaged.

A storage shed at a residence in the 3200 block of East 17th Avenue was damaged.

A 2005 gray Chevrolet Malibu was damaged while parked in the 800 block of South Montgomery Avenue.

A mason jar of coins and two jewelry boxes with assorted jewelry were taken from a residence in the 500 block of Wilson Dam Avenue.

Lauderdale County sheriff

A vending machine at a business on Alabama 20, Central Heights, was damaged.

A pressure washer was taken from a residence in the 8000 block of U.S. 72, Killen.

Four riding lawn mowers were taken from a residence in the 5200 block of Lauderdale 6, Florence.

A guitar was taken from a residence in the 700 block of Lauderdale 339, Killen.

A 2000 black Chevrolet Blazer, including CDs, stereo and speakers, was taken from a residence in the 2000 block of Lauderdale 59, Lexington,

A weed trimmer, ring, prescription drugs, Wii with three games and six DVDs were taken from a residence in the 3700 block of Lauderdale 81, Florence.

A jar of pennies, a camcorder and $30 change were taken from a residence in the 1300 block of Lauderdale 106, Florence.

Costume jewelry and a .22-caliber pistol were taken from a residence in the 2900 block of Lauderdale 213, Florence.

A 2007 Massey Ferguson tractor, a 6-foot bush hog and a gate were taken from a residence on Lauderdale 100, Killen.

A generator, 32-inch television and a PlayStation3 and controllers were taken from a residence on Lauderdale 281, Florence.

A GPS unit and iPod were taken from a vehicle parked in the 100 block of Cedar Bend, Florence.

A GPS unit was taken from a vehicle parked in the 100 block of River Chase.

A .40-caliber pistol was taken from a residence in the 400 block of Lauderdale 122, Florence.

An orange 8-foot enclosed trailer was taken from a residence in the 700 block of Lauderdale 545, Rogersville.

A 760-watt amplifier and two speakers were taken from a residence in the 900 block of Lauderdale 281, Florence.

A 2002 black Lincoln Continental was damaged while parked in the 400 block of Lauderdale 128, Florence.

A blue and white car hauler was taken from the 8500 block of Lauderdale 25, Killen.

A 2000 beige Ford F-150 was damaged while parked in the 700 block of Lauderdale 272, Florence.

Prescription pills were taken from a residence in the 700 block of Lauderdale 272, Florence.