Teen twosome facing charges for break-ins

Two teens face charges for a home invasion Wednesday after one of them brandished a shotgun when they were caught in the act by the female resident.

The suspects, Elijah Trey Smith, 18, and Chad Chiasson, 17, are charged with especially aggravated burglary, theft over $500, and assault. Smith will face arraignment Tuesday before General Sessions Judge Larry Ross, while the younger suspect is slated to appear in Juvenile Court. The 17-year-old also faces additional charges for other burgarlies and thefts.

According to Sheriff Jackie Matheny, the two were arrested Wednesday after they fled the scene of a home invasion on Jesse Road in the northern portion of the county. Lawmen say the teens broke into the home for the purposes of burglarizing the house when they were caught in the act by the female resident.

At that point lawmen say Smith, who was wearing a mask along with his younger partner, leveled a shotgun at the woman as she emerged from the basement but did not fire. Instead, he reportedly dropped the gun and tackled the woman.

The youths then fled the scene moments later carrying items they had collected during the burglary. However, they were pursued by the woman, prompting them to drop the stolen items.

Matheny said the teens had hidden the woman?s phones under her bed in hopes of delaying her calling the law. However, the woman was able to find one of the phones they had forgotten to hide and call for help. Deputies reportedly caught the two emerging from the woods near Smith?s home on Lowery Lane.

In addition to the home invasion, Chiasson is also charged with breaking into three cars in the Courtney Ann subdivision. Matheny said items ranging from cigarettes to guns were taken during the auto break-ins, most of which involved breaking into unlocked vehicles.

The younger suspect is also charged with breaking into Valley Feed on Smithville Highway where several hundred dollars worth of items were taken. Additional charges are pending against both teens.