Police have charged a Crossville, Tenn. woman with stealing cash and using the credit cards from an elderly man she was visiting.
According to an affidavit of complaint, Tonya Lorraine Hale, 42, was charged with nine counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and three counts of forgery. It is unclear when she will appear in East Ridge Municipal Court to account for the charges against her.
Police reports state that Hale was seen by the 79-year-old victim’s caretaker and family friend at the man’s residence in early January. The victim’s credit cards were used that same day at multiple locations in allegedly fraudulent transactions. The victim’s credit cards and drivers license were found in Hale’s vehicle.
According to a separate report, two days later Hale allegedly cashed an $800 check written from the victim’s business account. That transaction occurred at the Region’s Bank and Hale was caught on video surveillance conducting the transaction. Authorities maintain that Hale allegedly took the check on the day she was visiting the victim’s home.
_ Police were dispatched to the Holiday Inn Express on Feb. 24 on a report of suspicious activity. According to a police report, when an officer arrived he spoke with a desk clerk who said that a room on the third floor was experiencing excessive traffic and phone calls throughout the night. The clerk told the officer that the person renting the room was on a “do not rent” list and the clerk wanted officers to to make contact with that person. The report states that police were met at the motel room door by a woman who told them there was a male party in the bathroom. The woman gave police permission to search the room. When police removed the man from the bathroom, he immediately sat down in a chair next to the bed. The man, later identified as Michael David Palmer, said that he owned a black backpack that was found in the room. He gave police permission to search the backpack, the report states. Inside the backpack police found a digital scale often used in the drug trade. It contained a white residue, the report states. When officer removed Palmer from the chair, they found a bag containing 7.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine under the seat cushion. Palmer was placed into custody and charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Criminal Simulation. He was taken to the Hamilton County Jail and held under $20,000 bond. Palmer is due in Municipal Court on March 8.
_ Police were dispatched to 1406 N. Smith Street on Feb. 27 on a civil issue. According to a police report, the homeowner had allowed a family member to live in the house. The family member had invited some less than desirable friends to live there with them. The report states that officers made contact with several people, one being Michelle Renee Robinson. The report states that officers saw a 20-foot Coleman camper at the rear of the house and were told that it belonged to Robinson. When police ran the registration on the camper it turned out that it was reported stolen out of Chattanooga in September 2014. Police read Robinson her Miranda warnings and asked her about the camper. The report states that Robinson told police that she bought it in September 2014 from an unknown party for $5,000. Robinson was taken into custody for theft over $1,000. She is due to appear in East Ridge Municipal Court on March 8.
