Couple arrested for shoplifting wanted for escape in another county

Shortly after being arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a local store Tuesday evening, a couple wanted for escape in another county admitted to police that they had injected Roxicet earlier that day, according to Williamsburg police and court documents.

About 7 p.m. Tuesday, Tractor Supply notified Williamsburg police about suspected shoplifters, Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird wrote in a press release.

Upon arrival, Officer Brandon White observed the suspects exiting the parking lot in a 2005 gray Chevrolet, which Tractor Supply officials had described to police.

White observed the pair not wearing their seatbelts and conducted a traffic stop.

White determined that both the driver and passenger had outstanding warrants for second-degree escape stemming from previous charges in Laurel County.

Both suspects had removed ankle-monitoring bracelets that they were wearing as part of their bond conditions, Bird wrote in the release.

White charged the driver, Jamie M. Chandler, 38, of London, and his wife, Emily E. Chandler, 28, of Manchester, with receiving stolen property and possession of marijuana.

Jamie Chandler was also charged with driving while under the influence, failure to produce insurance card and two counts of failure to wear seatbelts. Emily Chandler was also charged with public intoxication.

Jamie Chandler allegedly admitted to police that he and his wife shoplifted tool blades and chainsaw blades worth $115.96 from Tractor Supply, White wrote on arrest citations.

Police found a small baggy of marijuana in the center console of the car, White wrote.

Both are being held in the Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of $500 cash bonds.

District Judge Fred White entered not guilty pleas on their behalves during their arraignments Thursday afternoon.

"May I please have my bond lowered. I want to go there and take care of that," Emily Chandler told the judge about her Laurel County charges during her arraignment.

White declined to lower her bond.

Jamie Chandler asked the judge whether he could plead guilty and just get a sentence of time served so he could "go down the road" to Laurel County.

"No, sir," White replied during the hearing.

White scheduled June 18 preliminary hearings in both of their cases.

Assistant Chief Rick Mosley and Officer Jason Strunk assisted with the investigation.