Mullis tells police he just couldn’t help himself when he stole attorney’s truck

Corbin Police say the Williamsburg man seen on video taking an attorney’s pickup truck from the parking lot outside of district court has been returned to Whitley County and confessed to the crime.

“He said he just couldn’t help himself,” said Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, the department’s public affairs officer when asked if 30-year-old Johnny Mullis said why he took John Reynolds’ truck on August 9.

Corbin Police Colonel David Maiden travelled to Caryville, Tennessee last Wednesday where Mullis was being held after he was apprehended on August 12.

Maiden said Mullis had waived an extradition hearing.

Mullis is facing two counts of theft by unlawful taking of an auto valued over $500 but less than $10,000, and one count each of theft by unlawful taking of a firearm and theft by unlawful taking of the value under $500.

Jones said Mullis told police that he had sold the two guns, a Glock .40-caliber and a Glock 9-millimeter, while he was in Tennessee.

Reynolds told police the two guns were in the glove compartment of the truck when Mullis took it.

At a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Whitley District Court, Mullis, who had initially said he intended to secured his own attorney, requested the court appoint one for him. Judge Fred White determined that Mullis qualified and approved a motion to continue the hearing until Tuesday to give Mullis the opportunity to speak with the attorney.

Mullis was at the courthouse in Corbin having driven an unidentified female for her hearing.

Mullis left the courtroom prior to the hearing.

Video surveillance showed Mullis getting into the truck, which was parked next to his own car, and driving away.

“He left the keys in the ignition and the windows rolled down and Mullis took the truck,” Jones said previously of Reynolds.

Police searched the area but were unable to locate either Mullis or the pickup truck.

Police received a tip from witnesses in the Mud Creek community who reported seeing Mullis driving a white sedan, later identified as an Acura that belonged to his ex-girlfriend.

Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said the witnesses told dispatchers that Mullis appeared to be extremely intoxicated and was armed.

Area law enforcement responded but was unable to locate Mullis or the car.

Campbell County Tennessee Sheriff’s deputies apprehended Mullis after Mullis reportedly told a bystander in Caryville that he was wanted out of Kentucky and was going to hit the bars.

Deputies found the car in the parking lot and the truck in a nearby field.