On Aug. 26, at approximately 5:20 a.m., the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a vehicle in the roadway on State Route 125, just south of the State Route 125 and 166 intersection.
Sheriff Bobby Hopper and Deputy David Thomas responded to the scene. Deputy Thomas observed a 2001 Chevrolet white pickup truck, belonging to the Fulton County Riverport in Hickman, parked in the curve in the eastbound lane with the headlights turned off.
The vehicle was occupied by two white males, Brad L. Hudson, the driver, and Eugene Spence, the passenger.
Both subjects were lying in the front seat asleep. The driver awoke and told the deputy, “He was an employee at the Fulton County Riverport and had permission to have the vehicle.”
Hudson had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, and there were a number of beer cans within the vehicle.
Hudson said he been drinking, and was given a field sobriety test and placed under arrest by Deputy Thomas for Driving Under the Influence. Sheriff Hopper placed Spence under arrest for alcohol intoxication. Both subjects were transported to the Fulton County Detention Center.
The investigation continued, with the assistance of the Hickman Police Department, Obion County Sheriff’s Department, and the Troy, Tenn. Police Department.
Riverport Director Greg Curlin, called to the scene by Sheriff Hopper, said neither subject has been employed by the Riverport; nor had permission to have the vehicle.
The vehicle was processed and released back to the Riverport.
Sheriff Hopper requested Hickman Police Department Chief Tony Grogan meet with Curlin at the Riverport facility to make sure the property was secure, and upon their arrival, it was discovered the entrance gate where the Riverport’s equipment is stored, had been driven through, causing extensive damage to the gate. A second vehicle was also missing.
Sheriff Hopper heard a radio transmission from the Obion County Sheriff’s Office where they had found a vehicle matching the description of a stolen truck submerged in water at the watershed in the Crystal, Tenn. area off Bone Road. Sheriff Hopper and Deputy Thomas went to the scene and confirmed it was the second vehicle that was stolen from the Riverport facility. Additional evidence was collected at the scene and Buddy’s Wrecker Service removed the vehicle from watershed and transported it back to the Fulton County Detention Center.
Deputy Thomas, along with Tennessee authorities, went to the Fulton County Detention Center and questioned Hudson and Spence, who both made confessions resulting in a third subject being identified.
The investigation continues and additional charges will be made against both subjects and additional subjects will be charged in both Kentucky and Tennessee.
Charges to date include:
Brad L. Hudson, also known as Frankie Roberts, Hickman, Theft by unlawful taking – auto $10,000 or more; Unauthorized use of motor vehicle, first offense; Operating a motor vehicle under influence of alcohol/ drugs .08, first offense; Theft by deception (including cold checks), warrant served. Addition charges are pending.
Eugene W. Spence, Hickman, Alcohol intoxication; Theft by unlawful taking – auto $10,000 or more (complicity); Tampering with physical evidence; Theft of property; Promoting contraband – second degree.
