State trooper’s gun stolen

Charges have been lodged against a local man accused in a county-wide burglary spree ‘ which included the theft of a state trooper’s badge and gun.

The suspect, Thomas J. Reeder, 30, was bound over to the grand jury following his initial appearance for arraignment this week before General Sessions Judge Larry Ross on charges of burglary and theft. And, lawmen say, there are more charges expected against the alleged serial burglar, and they are hoping other victims will come forward to claim stolen property they are trying to return to its rightful owners.

According to Sheriff’s Capt. Tommy Myers, Reeder is facing counts for three separate burglaries at this time, all from the Smartt Station area. One involved the burglary of the state trooper car of Trooper David Matthews, who is primarily assigned in a neighboring county.

During the burglary, Reeder stole the trooper’s 40mm Glock handgun as well as his identification and badge. The burglar also took the trooper’s portable radio from his personal truck.

In addition to those thefts, credit cards were taken from vehicles parked at two homes nearby. One of the cards had been used hours before, according to records.

Reeder’s arrest came when police answered a call outside Raintree Manor Nursing Home of a man passed out in a vehicle. When lawmen arrived they found Reeder passed out, presumably due to taking drugs. Also found was the trooper’s badge and gun nearby, prompting his arrest and further search. It was during the further search that the stolen credit cards were found along with numerous other stolen items.

‘We’ve been having a rash of auto burglaries the past few weeks all across the county,’ Capt. Myers said. ‘The burglar or burglars have been basically going for unlocked cars and they’ve hit the jackpot several times.’

Myers said anyone who may have been victimized recently in a car burglary should contact him at 473-8738 as officers have quite a bit of stolen property which is unidentified.

‘We’re talking all over,’ Myers said of the scope of the burglaries. ‘Smartt Station, Rolling Hills, the County Club area. And, there’s probably several other areas.’