Gunshots lead to two arrests
Two men were arrested by Hamilton County sheriff's deputies who responded to a report of shots fired on Millard Lee Lane on Friday.
According to a police report, deputies responded to Millard Lee Lane about 6:45 p.m. and spoke with Jonathan Wright, who told officers that he was the property manager for most of the duplexes on that road and that residents had complained frequently about gunshots in the woods behind the duplexes.
This is an area that has had multiple reports of shots fired in the past, according to the report.
Deputies heard gunshots after they arrived and tried to locate them for about 45 minutes, when the property manager notified police that he had found the parties responsible.
Deputies spoke with Brandon Beene, 31, and Michael McElhaney, 30, in the woods and asked them about the gunshots. They told police that they had been with a third person who was responsible for the shooting, named "Derek." According to the police report, deputies noticed two 25-ounce Bud Light cans on the ground next to the men, as well as multiple shell casings and targets.
Both admitted to consuming alcohol and shooting the gun, but said that they didn't have any guns, and that "Derek" had owned the gun, but that he had already left. They eventually admitted to possessing a gun and having hid it. After a search, deputies discovered an unloaded .380-caliber ACP handgun, with a magazine and a box with eight rounds of ammunition hidden in the brush.
Both men were arrested on weapons charges.
At the jail, McElhaney told deputies that he had some pills in his pocket, which were eventually discovered to be his nephew's. Additionally, during the course of a strip search it was discovered that McElhaney had a burnt marijuana joint in his pocket, but he denied knowing it was there.
Both men have been charged with possession of a handgun while under the influence, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and making false reports. McElhaney also faces charges of possession of drugs without a prescription and simple possession of marijuana.
Parking lot site of disturbance
On Friday, about 10 p.m., East Ridge police responded to a report of a disorder in the theater parking lot at 5080 South Terrace.
Upon arrival, officers discovered several people in the lot yelling and causing a disturbance. One witness pointed out Thadeus Hughlett as the individual causing the disorder. Police attempted to approach Hughlett, who subsequently ran away.
Officers chased him, ordering Hughlett to stop. They eventually stunned him. Hughlett continued to resist officers after he was stunned, breaking an officer's glasses, valued at $15, according to a police report. Once they were able to cuff Hughlett, he was placed into the backseat of a patrol car, where he eventually kicked out the passenger-side rear window, which has an estimated repair cost of $500, according to the report.
Police took Hughlett to Parkridge East for a medical evaluation. At the hospital, Hughlett gave them the name "Todd Sutton," as well as other false information. Officers later discovered that he had provided false information and were able to properly identify him. They learned he had an active warrant.
Hughlett was arrested on that warrant, as well as charges of resisting a stop, vandalism over $500, vandalism under $500, resisting arrest and criminal impersonation, and taken to the Hamilton County Jail.
Shots fired at gas station
On Friday about 1:30 a.m., Chattanooga police responded to a report of shots fired at the Raceway at 2528 Broad St.
The Raceway clerk called police to report that a Chevy Suburban of an unknown color and a white Ford Focus were exchanging gunfire in the parking lot. An unknown caller reported to police that the shooter was in a silver Chrysler Sebring, and a manager from Papa Johns told police he had heard shots and saw a silver Toyota Camry leaving the area after hearing the shots. All reporting parties told police that all vehicles involved headed south on Broad Street.
Police checked the gas station parking lot and surrounding area for shell casings, but none was found. Police also checked the area for any vehicles matching the witness descriptions, but none was located, and no further action was taken.