Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 2:20 pm

Witnesses who saw this Pathfinder in their neighborhood are asked to call sheriff's Detectives Scott Tillman at 904-3041 or Chris Owens at 904-3045.

Groom Thomas Gammon and his bride-to-be planned to substitute a ring when they married Saturday because burglars stole her sapphire and diamond wedding ring earlier this month.

But sheriff’s Detectives Scott Tillman and Chris Owens recovered the ring Friday and Tillman delivered it to the bride and groom Friday night. Family members cried when Tillman delivered the ring. They invited the detectives to their wedding.

“That was my best recovery ever,” Tillman said with a grin. “That was very cool,” Owens said.

Burglars stole the ring from Gammon’s home in mid-October. Through several burglaries, witnesses reported the suspects rode in a gold 1994 Nissan Pathfinder with a temporary tag attached where the license plate is supposed to be. The detectives asked for information on the Pathfinder.

Murfreesboro Police Sgt. Harry Haigh notified fellow officers. Officer David Miller located the Pathfinder last Wednesday and Haigh notified the sheriff’s detectives.



A-1 wrecker employees towed the vehicle to their lot. While detectives were examining the vehicle, owner Greg Matthews, accompanied by Dustin Britt and Casey Smith, came to claim it. Matthews told detectives he allowed a friend to borrow the SUV.

As part of their investigation, the detectives went to Britt’s home.

“Britt’s girlfriend had a $6,000 ring on her finger,” Owens said. Tillman said it resembled the one stolen from Gammon. The girlfriend told them Britt gave it to her as an engagement ring. They seized the ring and returned it to Gammon.

They charged Smith with burglary. More charges are pending.

The detectives believe Smith was involved in other home burglaries.

People who spotted the gold Pathfinder in a neighborhood with home burglaries during the past few weeks are asked to call Tillman at 904-3041 or 904-3045. “We just want information,” Tillman said.