34-year-old Martin Wauford was charged with aggravated burglary, vandalism, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of methamphetamine after ransacking a residence where he told officers he got permission to stay.
On November 14th, Lebanon Police Officer Travis Hawkins responded to a possible theft call at a residence located at 856 Carthage Highway. Howard Hassell, the property owner, told Officer Hawkins that he came home and saw the rear door glass had been busted out and pry marks on the door trim. The officer’s report stated that Hassell had left to retrieve keys to the residence and saw a basket of items that were from inside the home sitting beside the rear door. Officer Hawkins announced himself and entered the residence where Martin Wauford and Angie Dortch said they had permission from a man named Joey Ricketts to stay in the residence. They further advised that they were there looking for kittens.
Hassell told Officer Hawkins that he did not know anyone named Joey Ricketts. The report stated that drawers were pulled opened and emptied on the floor, clothes were pulled from the closet, and items were knocked from shelves. A plastic bag was lying on the kitchen counter containing a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, and five syringes, some containing a lightly colored unknown liquid residue. The damage to the rear door was approximately $200.00.
Martin Wauford was arrested and charged with vandalism, aggravated burglary, possession of meth, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remains jailed in lieu of an $18,000 bond.
