Suspect Mickey Tidwell didn’t realize the customer who allegedly purchased three stolen rifles from him actually owned the firearms, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s detective said.
Burglars stole three rifles and other property from owner Bryant Bain’s home Monday on Highship Road, Detective Jim Tramel said Friday. Bain received a tip Tidwell possibly possessed his handguns.
Bain apparently purchased his rifles from Tidwell Thursday, then immediately notified Tramel who was investigating the case.
“We don’t recommend these types of actions by anyone to retrieve their property due to safety reasons,” Tramel said.
Tramel enlisted Deputy Jack Keisling of the Criminal Warrants Division who located Tidwell at Wal-Mart on Rutherford Boulevard. Keisling, Tramel and Deputy Gregg Speck apprehended Tidwell and brought him to the sheriff’s office for an interview.
“Tidwell gave a statement he sold the guns and didn’t realize he was selling them back to the victim,” Tramel said.
Tramel charged Tidwell with theft of property. Tidwell, 35, of Factory Road, was booked into Rutherford County Adult Detention Center where a hearing was set Feb. 8 in General Sessions Court. Tidwell is a felon with a lengthy criminal record.
The detective checked the background of Tidwell’s girlfriend, Heather Begley, and found she was wanted for statutory rape and other charges. Begley was booked into the detention center where she is being held.
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