Sheriff Says Arrest Clears 14 Burglaries

Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble said today today that his Criminal Investigations Division has cleared 14 active investigations that were being conducted by either the Sheriff's Office or the Cleveland Police Department.

Steven E. Blankenship, 26, was taken into custody by the Athens Police Department Wednesday evening after a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was issued for the vehicle he was driving. He is now at the Bradley County jail charged with 21 felony counts of Burglary and Theft.

Through investigation of several recent burglaries, Blankenship was developed as a possible suspect and it was learned he had been living at a local motel. When detectives went there to question him about the thefts they were told by the motel management that he had not been there for several days and had not paid his rent.

In property motel personnel removed from the room detectives found items that were taken on August 3 from the Bradley County Emergency Medical Service station on Paul Huff Parkway and in a July 29 burglary of an automobile at SkyRidge Medical Center.

Several EMS uniforms and other items valued at $1,000 and the purse were recovered.

Blankenship, who lives in Calhoun Tennessee, has been charged with 11 counts of Aggravated Burglary, Three counts of Burglary, Five Counts of Theft over $1,000, and 2 Counts of Theft over $500. Those charges stem from burglaries to 11 residences, two businesses, and one outbuilding.

The arrest clears six active investigations for BCSO and 5 for CPD.

Detectives assigned to the investigation checked local pawn shops and recovered a desktop computer and monitor that was stolen from a Century 21 office at 3935 Old Tasso Road on August 2, and a number of power tools that were taken the same day from a residence on Ridgeview Drive. A white Ford F150 pickup truck that was taken from the real estate office was being driven by the suspect and was recovered when Athens Police took him into custody. Those items have been returned to the owners.

Other cases cleared were:

• Three burglaries at 121 Hiwassee St.,
  
  
• 176 Hiwassee Dr.,
  
  
• 198 High St.,
  
  
• Two burglaries at 3368 Briarcliff Dr.,
  
  
• Valley Head Rd.
  
  

The investigation is continuing and additional charges could be filed.