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Bank Robbery Suspect Caught
A Cookeville man proved true the old saying "you can run but you can't hide" when he sped away from a Cookeville bank with an undetermined amount of stolen money Tuesday afternoon, June 26. Several hours later, the suspect was arrested and charged with the crime. Joseph William Moore, 24, is in custody of Putnam County officials after allegedly robbing Union Planters Bank on 10th Street in Cookeville. Just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, a young man walked into the bank and handed a young female teller a note demanding money. According to reports, the thief did not display a weapon. He wore a disguise of some type of paint or makeup, and he had a goatee and sideburns which appeared fake. Witnesses allegedly saw a two-door black Grand Am parked in clear view in front of the bank and gave the description of the suspect's getaway car to officials. Reports stated the suspect was wearing a baseball cap, blue shirt, and jeans during the robbery; however, a description came over local law enforcement radios around 1 p.m. stating the suspect was "a white male with a goatee and no shirt." The suspect fled the bank toward Overton County on Highway 111 North, then turned on Rickman Road (Old Highway 42). Just after the suspect passed East Paran Road in Rickman, he reportedly left the roadway and proceeded to flee from law enforcement off road. Right after he left the roadway, driving parallel with the main road, the suspect lost control of the vehicle, slid down a hill, and the car came to rest in a ditch on Rickman Road. The vehicle undriveable, the suspect jumped out of the car and fled on foot. He was seen moments later near a corner of the Highway 111 Mini Mall and Trade Center building in Rickman and disappeared. Members of several local and state law enforcement departments showed up at the scene to search for the suspect. Some officers were already on the scene, having followed the suspect from Cookeville. Combing the area for several hours in search of the suspect, the officers finally apprehended him Tuesday evening. Putnam Sheriff Deputy Pat Storie had reportedly glimpsed a man running into the woods north of Paran Road on Highway 111. A tracking dog then reportedly sniffed out the suspect who was lying in a ditch. Overton County dispatchers announced at approximately 6:54 p.m. that the suspect was in custody of Putnam County officials. Bond was set for Moore at $50,000. Officers involved in the case represented Overton County Sheriff's Department, Algood Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Putnam County Sheriff's Department, and Cookevile Police Department. Three tracking dogs, courtesy of Putnam County officials, were provided for the search. An airplane was also used, circling the area for around 10 minutes to catch a possible aerial view.
Martha Grace Clark Receives New Heart By Rachel Smith, OCN staff Martha Grace Clark, the 23 month-old daughter of Darwin and Patricia Clark of Livingston, underwent life-saving heart transplant surgery Friday, June 29 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. The much-awaited phone call to the Clark family came early Friday morning letting them know a donor heart was available and that Martha Grace would be taken into surgery immediately. According to Ann Clark, Martha Grace's grandmother, she was taken into surgery around 8 a.m. with the heart arriving about 8:30 a.m. Approximately three hours later, the family received word from doctors that the surgery had been completed successfully with no complications and Martha Grace's new heart "was a perfect match and seemed to be made just for her." "It takes a special family to allow their child's organs to be donated to save the lives of other children. We don't know who this family was, but they are very special to us. We thank them from the bottom of our heart, as they saved not only Martha Grace's life but that of another child who received a liver." Clark said. With the first two weeks after a transplant being perhaps the most critical, Martha Grace is being watched very carefully by doctors and nurses for any signs of infection or rejection of the heart. "When we went to see her Sunday, she was sitting up in bed eating eggs, drinking juice, and watching her favorite cartoon, Barney. She's doing just great! "Sometime this week, possibly Tuesday, she will be moved to the main floor where she will be monitored for one week. If she keeps improving like she is now, she will then move to the Ronald McDonald House next to Vanderbilt. "She will have to stay there for six weeks to receive daily medications and monitoring before being allowed to come home. "The Clark and Gore family want to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words over the past several weeks. We appreciate all the support, emotional and financial, everyone has given us during this time. We just ask that everyone continue to pray for Martha Grace as she begins the next phase of her life, learning to live with her new heart."
Graduated License Law Now In Effect Tennessee's graduated license law is't taking away a teenager's license to drive, but simply places certain restrictions on some teen drivers. The law, passed by the General Assembly last year, took effect Sunday, July 1. Safety Commissioner Mike Greene said, "Some teenagers have expressed concern that they will not be able to get a license until they are 18 under this new law. "We want to assure them they will still be able to get a license at 16, but after July 1, they will receive a restricted license. Many of these restrictions are already placed on teen drivers by their parents." Due to increased activity at driver testing stations and because many teenagers are traveling during the summer, a two-month extension will be given to those 16 year-olds who meet all requirements for a regular Class D license. Driver License Issuance Director Vona Lasater said, "If all other requirements are met Ð the teenager is 16 before July 1, has held a learner permit for three months, and passes the skills test Ð that teen can still get a regular license throughout the month of August. "We are offering the extension because we realize some teenagers may qualify for the regular license but simply won't be able to come to a station and take the skills test before July 1." Governor Don Sundquist signed the graduated license program into law last year, making Tennessee the 41st state to have a graduated licensing system. The graduated license program increases the minimum period a teen must hold a learner permit from three months to six and prohibits those with learner permits from driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. When a teen reaches 16 they may apply for an intermediate restricted license, which prohibits driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Those with intermediate restricted licenses can have only one other teen in the vehicle unless a licensed driver 21 or older accompanies them. Exceptions are made for those driving to and from school sponsored events or work and for those transporting siblings to school. Under the graduated license program, 15 year-old drivers: Under the graduated license program, 16 year-old drivers:
Effective July 1, accumulation of six or more points (equivalent of two minor traffic citations) or involvement in an at-fault crash extends the intermediate restricted period an additional 90 days for 15 and 16 year-old drivers. The court is required to notify the parent(s) or guardian(s) of 15 and 16 year-old drivers who are convicted of a moving violation or second seat belt violation. Under the graduated license program, 17 year-old
drivers: Greene said, "The graduated license law will help save the lives of our children by helping us ensure that our teen drivers are ready for the responsibility of being behind the wheel."
Overton County News
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