Investigation into stolen cemetery fence led to barricade situation for deputies

Knox County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested two people in connection to the theft of a fence from a Woodbine cemetery, but only after one of the suspects barricaded the two of them inside a residence in Whitley County, according to a Knox County Sheriff’s Department release.

On Aug. 19, Knox County deputies responded to a theft complaint at Campbell Cemetery on Campbell Cemetery Road in Woodbine where they found 150 feet of black painted chain-link fence taken along with top rails, seven posts, two 10-feet gates and all the hardware.

Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith learned that the stolen fence and hardware were reportedly at the residence of Jason W. Taylor on Perkins Street in the Whitley County portion of Woodbine, according to the release.

Smith and deputies went to the residence on Aug. 23 and when they arrived, a man ran into a detached garage and locked the door from the inside.

While deputies were preparing information to obtain a search warrant, Jason W. Taylor allegedly crawled out of the garage through a hole in the side and fled into the residence where he barricaded himself and a woman, who was already inside, the release stated.

Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies then responded to the residence and later obtained a Whitley County search warrant. When deputies executed the search warrant, they discovered the stolen fence and all the hardware located on a utility trailer behind the residence, according to the release.

After several hours, Smith, Whitley County Sheriff Bill Elliotte and deputies entered the residence where they immediately arrested Angela Taylor, 34, of Woodbine on charges of receiving stolen property, menacing and second-degree hindering prosecution or apprehension, the release stated.

About one hour later, Jason Taylor, 39, of Woodbine, was found hidden inside a wall in the residence. He was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property, menacing and second-degree fleeing or evading police

According to Angela Taylor’s arrest citation, she helped hide a man inside of a wall and screwed it back shut in an effort to prevent him from going to jail.

Both Jason and Angela Taylor were lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.

Both are scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Oct. 3 in Knox District Court.