A Clinton man was recently arrested in connection with the alleged theft of an ATV from an elderly man in the Forge Ridge community.
Terry D. Herrell, 36, who has a Clinton address, was taken to the Claiborne County Jail after a recent incident.
According to Det. Gary Ruskowski of the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, a four-wheeler was reported stolen in the Forge Ridge area. The ATV was used by James Ramsey, 86, as a kind of “wheelchair” of sorts, Ruskowski said.
“That is his legs,” said Ramsey’s daughter-in-law and family spokesperson Fay Ramsey. “It is the only way he can check on things on his farm. His farm is all hillside and he can no longer walk to the barn or even drive his truck to it.”
After approximately 48 hours of investigation led officers to Herrell, Ruskowski said Herrell shared where the ATV was located.
“It was hidden in real thick woods, very secluded,” Ruskowski said.
“We were really worried about him (James Ramsey) when we learned the ATV was stolen,” said Fay Ramsey. “It was a very traumatic experience for him.”
She added that this incident was the second break-in her father-in-law had experienced in the past six months. Her son Stephen was the main contact person for the CCSO when the ATV was stolen then found, which led him to help officers in the recovery.
Ruskowski, along with Det. Tim Shrout, Det. Anthony Veillon and Stephen Ramsey, worked to recover the ATV from the thick woods.
When the crew returned the ATV to James Ramsey, it was an emotional reunion, said Ruskowski.
“Mr. Ramsey started crying,” he said, “which really touched us.”
“Dad is a very humble, Christian man,” said Fay Ramsey. “This was a prayer answered. If it hadn’t been recovered he would have had to purchase another ATV, which would be hard for him. It was such a relief for him and us. We know what it meant to him.”
Herrell was charged with theft over $1,000.
“We are so appreciative of how hard the Sheriff’s Office worked on recovering it and getting it back to him,” added Fay Ramsey. “That is essentially his mobility.”
Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88.
