According to Trinity Police Department
TRINITY (KYTX) - Trinity police today announced the arrest of a 48-year-old man accused of dragging a city councilman about 30 feet during commission of a robbery in July.
According to police, at about 1 a.m. Thursday, July 26, Councilman Neal Smith was returning home after visiting a friend in the hospital when he noticed a white van parked next door to his son's house on 10th Street in Trinity. As Smith stopped to investigate the van, the suspect, identified as David Wheeler, noticed Smith and hid near the home of Smith's son.
"Smith did not know that Wheeler had just stolen a can of gas from (Smith son's) porch and was pouring the gas into the van. Wheeler came out with a story trying to bluff his way out of the situation," a Trinity police report stated. "When Wheeler realized Smith was calling the police, he ran to the van and tried to get away."
When Smith tried to stop the van, Wheeler dragged the councilman about 30 feet down the road before Smith fell. Smith was able to rise to his feet and report the crime to police.
Later that morning, Trinity County Precinct 1 Deputy Mark Cole was patrolling FM 346 when he heard the call and spotted the van speeding east on FM 356. Cole initiated a traffic stop until other authorities arrived to the scene, according to police.
Officer Adams and Barak had prior knowledge of Wheeler from a theft complaint a week prior, police said. In that case, the Officers recovered a lawnmower that Wheeler had allegedly stolen from a 3rd Street resident and sold to a local resale shop. After receiving the lawnmower back, the complaints declined to file charges.
Wheeler has been charged with second degree aggravated robbery.
Councilman Neal Smith days after the incident. (Courtesy Trinity Police Dept.)
