Jan 29
A Hawkins County man told a Church Hill police officer he didn’t go anywhere or steal anything. The officer hadn’t mentioned theft. 25-year-old James Blake McFarland then told the officer he didn’t take anything at a school. Officer Dustin Dean then told McFarland that he had not mentioned a school when he said he wanted to talk to McFarland and advised him of his rights. A witness told police McFarland was near the Church Hill Elementary School on Jan. 22, dressed similarly to a thief captured on surveillance video. Officials said $250 was taken from an office safe. After McFarland implicated himself, he was arrested on charges of burglary, theft and vandalism. He is currently in jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.