Correspondent

On the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 18th, deputies from the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department approached the home of Dennis Burchett on Wheeler Road to inquire about a dog that had been killed. Investigator Harrison Cornet says that when Burchett saw them approaching, he quickly locked a shed then ran. A foot chase followed with Cornet, Investigator Rick Davis, and deputies Larry Mozingo and Brian Griffin in pursuit. Burchett was taken into custody in a field behind his mobile home.

Officers found that Burchett had illegal drugs in his possession and a search of the premises followed. Items found included prescription drugs in bottles not belonging to Burchett, several ATV's and a scooter suspected of being stolen, a quantity of marijuana, firearms, and other items.

Chief Deputy Ernie Womack and Deputy Linell Baldwin joined in the search and found several more questionable items. A major find was two bank envelopes containing money, all of which had the same serial number. The quality and source of the counterfeit bills is under investigation. The sheriffs department is attempting to locate the rightful owners of several items which were impounded.