B’ville man charged with Tomahawks, Express Mart burglaries

Area police departments in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties believe they have solved a series of break-ins at local businesses, which involved the perpetrators allegedly stealing vehicles that were then rammed into businesses in an attempt to steal the ATM machines located inside.

The investigation, which involved five local police departments, culminated in the arrest of four people and law enforcement closing a total of 14 burglary cases. The thefts spanned from southern Kentucky to Tennessee.

On Aug. 31, the Barbourville, Corbin, Williamsburg and London police departments in addition to the Laurel County and Knox County sheriff’s departments jointly announced that the investigation resulted in the arrests of Kody Davidson, Shannon Ray Davidson, 30, of Barbourville, and Dave E. Smith and B.J. Hubbard, both of Flatlick.

“More arrests and charges are expected and the investigation is continuing,” according to the release. “These arrests would not be possible without a great working relationship between all local law enforcement agencies.”

According to a release from the Corbin Police Department, Smith and Hubbard, 31, were arrested on Aug. 30 in connection to the burglaries. The pair were individually charged with theft by unlawful taking of the value of $1,000 or more but less than $10,000, two counts of third-degree burglary and two counts of first-degree criminal mischief.

Police believe the pair were particularly connected to incidents that occurred Aug. 27 in Corbin at Tomahawks and Whitaker Bank, and Aug. 28 in Williamsburg at Express Mart.

Hubbard currently remains jailed in the Knox County Detention Center, though it is unclear if Smith is jailed in another local jail facility or has since been released.

Shannon Davidson and Kody Davidson were both arrested on Aug. 31 by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department.

Shannon Davidson was served with a pair of Whitley County arrest warrants that were obtained by Corbin Police Detective Robbie Hodge.

One warrant charges Shannon Davidson with third-degree burglary, theft over $1,000 but less than $10,000, and first-degree criminal mischief in connection with the Tomahawks case.

The warrant alleged that he was observed exiting a vehicle that was stolen from McKnight and Associates that had been backed through the door at Tomahawks. During the burglary, the ATM was stolen containing $4,300. Also, the door and three air-conditioning units, which were valued at $800 each, were all damaged.

One of the co-conspirators allegedly identified Davidson along with two other male subjects, Hodge noted in the warrant.

The other warrant charged Shannon Davidson with third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal mischief in connection with the break-in at Express Mart, which is off Exit 15 in Williamsburg.

Shannon Davidson was allegedly observed on video exiting a brown Ford F350, which was had stolen from Big Daddy Pools and backed through the door at Express Mart. Shannon Davidson and two others were observed hooking a chain to the ATM and ripping it from the floor then leaving without taking the ATM, according to the warrant.

The ATM and door to the business were damaged beyond repair.

A co-conspirator allegedly identified Shannon Davidson along with the other co-conspirator, Hodge wrote in the second warrant.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Drew Wilson also charged Shannon Davidson with first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree burglary, theft from building over $1,000 but less than $10,000, and receiving stolen property over $1,000 but less than $10,000, according to a sheriff’s department release.

On July 30, he allegedly forced entry into the Speedy Mart, which is located three miles south of London off Highway 229, and entered the service station wrapping a large chain around the ATM machine. Then using a stolen van the ATM was ripped out of the store causing severe damage to the ATM and the store, the sheriff’s department release stated.

The ATM and stolen van were recovered in Knox County.

Also, he was charged on a Laurel District Court complaint warrant in a separate case with first-degree criminal mischief, receiving stolen property $10,000 or more, attempted theft over $1,000 but less than $10,000 regarding an investigation over an alleged attempt to steal the Whitaker Bank ATM. This allegedly occurred while driving a stolen vehicle that was later recovered, according to the release.

Wilson served Kody Davidson with a Laurel District Court complaint warrant charging him with first-degree criminal mischief, receiving stolen property $10,000 or more, and attempted theft regarding to the alleged attempt of a Whitaker Bank ATM. This occurred while driving a reported stolen vehicle that was later recovered. There was damage to the ATM, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department release.

Both Kody Davidson and Shannon Davidson are being held in the Laurel County Correctional Center in lieu of $25,000 cash bonds.

Kody Davidson’s age and address are unclear.

A press release from the Corbin and Barbourvile police departments indicates that Kody Davidson, is from Middletown, Ohio. A Laurel County Sheriff’s Department release indicates that Kody Davidson, is 31, of Barbourville. The Laurel County Detention Center’s website lists Kody Davidson’s age of 22, and his address as Barbourville.