Williamsburg police arrested a Tennessee man, who was once banished from Whitley County as part of a plea agreement, early Tuesday morning for robbery.
Matthew Veach, 29, of Jacksboro, Tenn., is being held in the Whitley County Detention Center without bond on charges of second-degree robbery and theft by unlawful taking, according to jail records.
Shortly after 2 a.m., the Whitley County 911 Dispatch Center received a call from 605 Main Street stating that a female victim had just been robbed outside of her residence.
Upon arrival, Sgt. Mike Taylor determined that the suspect had left the scene in a small blue car, according to Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson.
While Taylor was still at the scene interviewing the victim, Capt. Eddie Cain located the vehicle attempting to get onto I-75 heading south on Exit 11, Jackson said.
"The money that was taken during the robbery was recovered from the suspects in the car. Through the investigation, Sgt. Taylor determined that the money had been forcefully taken by Mr. Veach from the victim, who was not injured during the incident and did not require any medical treatment," Jackson said.
Jackson said that while there were others in the vehicle, Veach was the only person charged.
A total of $60 was taken in the robbery and police recovered $30 on Veach and another $30 inside a pop can, Jackson said.
Under state statutes, the use of force or threat of force turns a theft charge into a robbery charge.
"The motive for this crime is unclear at this time," Jackson said. "However, based on several witness statements, Sgt. Taylor believes that drug activity is involved in some form or fashion.
"Sgt. Taylor is continuing the investigation and other arrests and charges are possible. The case will be presented to the Whitley County Grand Jury."
In January 2000, Matt Veach, Josh Veach and Kurt Veach were all banished from Kentucky and Tennessee for five years as part of a plea agreement to receive probation on a first-degree wanton endangerment charge.
All three Veach family members pleaded guilty to the wanton endangerment charge on Dec. 6, 1999, in Whitley County Circuit Court.
The charges alleged that the defendants shot into a house where people were present. No one was injured.
In 2004, prosecutors asked to have Matt Veach’s probation revoked because he hadn’t reported to probation officers and because he was believed to have been living in Tennessee in violation of his plea agreement.
Court records indicate that Matt Veach’s probation was revoked on March 2, 2004, and that a later motion for shock probation was denied.
