Sheppard Road Resident Arrested On Multiple Big Rig Burglaries

Oneida, TN (2011-01-03) An Sheppard Road man has been arrested and charged with 15 felonies in connection with a series of thefts from tractor-trailers parked in Oneida. The suspect has also been charged with a similar burglary in September 2010.

William A. (Billy) Stephens, of Oneida was arrested on Sunday following an investigation into a series of thefts from four big rigs parked in the gravel parking lot near the intersection of Alberta Street and Sand Cut Road in Oneida. According to an arrest warrant filed by William Angel of the Oneida Police Department, a tip lead officers to Stephens’ Sheppard Road home, where authorities allegedly recovered several items taken in the burglaries.

In addition to Sunday’s thefts, Stephens has also been charged with breaking into and taking several items from another big rig back last September. According to a warrant filed by K-9 Officer Floyd Sexton of the Oneida Police Department, Stephens has been implicated in theft of several items from a 2009 Volvo tractor on September 30, 2010. In that burglary, the perpetrator allegedly stole a CB and mic from the truck; items that were allegedly recovered from another big rig parked at Stephens’ residence on Sunday.

In all, Stephens was charged with 15 felonies, including auto burglary; burglary (4 counts); theft of over $500 (5 counts); vandalism of more than $500 (4 counts); vandalism of more than $1000; and possession of burglary tools.