LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A La Follette man alleges he was looking for lawn mower gas when the homeowner came home early from work and saw a man walking around from behind her house.

On Oct. 5, a homeowner on Farris Circle arrived home to find a small blue car in her driveway.  The homeowner blew her horn, and a man, later identified as Patrick Pierce, walked around the house.  When she asked what he was doing, he allegedly stated he was trying to find some lawnmower gas. The homeowner told Campbell County Sheriff’s Sgt. Joe Hopson she knew Pierce; he was a family friend.

Later, she walked around the house and found the back storm door propped open and the back door open, according to a report from the sheriff’s department.  Some of the homeowner’s tools and a rifle case were on the back porch.

Hopson then sent out a BOLO (be on the lookout for) on Pierce and his vehicle.  Deputy Raymond Surber was able to locate Pierce and his vehicle at Pierce’s Springfield Lane home.  Surber allegedly found several of the stolen items from the Farris Circle home.  While Surber was inventorying the vehicle, he found a receipt with the victim’s name on it in Pierce’s vehicle.  During the interview process, Pierce allegedly admitted to entering the house through an unlocked back door and once inside started taking items he could sell for quick cash.  According to the report, he continued that he had got into an unlocked vehicle and took two hitches and a chain.

Pierce, 29, 278 Springfield Drive, LaFollette is charged with possession of schedule III-controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, auto burglary and theft of property $2,500-$9,999.

The next court date in General Sessions Court for Pierce is Tues., Oct. 27.  He was released from the Campbell County Jail on Oct. 19 on a $200,000 secured bond according to jail records.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/22/2020-6AM)

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