Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Trap Door Escape Attempt Fails – Couple Arrested






August 30, 2016

John Smith (no we didn’t make up his name) 2-19-84 was arrested on August 18, 2016 at a mobile home located at 13750 NW 88 Terrace in Chiefland. Smith caught the attention of the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division several weeks prior based upon a tip. Investigators learned Smith had traveled to the Chiefland area from Lee County and was wanted by Lee County Sheriff’s Office for burglary and grand theft. It was also rumored Smith had transported illegal weapons from Lee County to Chiefland. Investigators noticed a spike in residential burglaries in this same general area, but were uncertain of Smith’s exact location until August 18th.

LCSO Investigators arrived at the home on 88th Terrace and contacted the home owner who was not related to Smith. Investigators established a perimeter around the home and the owner allowed investigators to search for Smith. Smith was not immediately located. Investigators interviewed Megan Wilk (6-17-86), later determined to be Smith’s girlfriend, who gave conflicting stories as to Smith’s current whereabouts.

Investigators thoroughly searched the room Smith and Wilk were living in and found a trap door in the floor. The trap door had been covered by a piece of furniture. Investigators broadened their search and did locate Smith hiding in the crawl space underneath the mobile home. He was taken into custody without incident. Investigators arrested Wilk for obstruction/resisting arrest without violence, as it was impossible for Smith to place the piece of furniture back on top of the trap door after he exited.

Numerous firearms were found loaded and unsecured inside the home and drug paraphernalia was found in the room Smith and Wilk shared with their small child. The firearms were determined to belong to the home owner and had not been previously reported stolen.

Smith was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility. He was charged with the outstanding Lee County warrant and resisting arrest without violence. His bond has been set at $135,000. Wilk was booked into the Detention Facility and charged with obstruction and child neglect, which is based upon the discovery of the drug paraphernalia found within easy reach of her child. Her bond has been set at $30,000.
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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111
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