Christopher Mallet
A Chattanooga man was charged with aggravated burglary after police said he stole money from one relative to pay debts to another. According to police, Christopher Blaine Mallet, 23, broke into the home of an aunt who was out of town.
The burglary was reported when another family member was checking on the house and noticed the door to the alarm system was open and that the alarm was not on.
When he walked inside the house, he saw that drawers were open everywhere and several rooms were in disarray.
After contacting the aunt, it was determined that an unknown amount of cash, several high-end purses, and collectable coins were all missing. It was reported that the cash was in older style bills that are no longer in circulation.
When police spoke to various family members, several noted that one of their relatives, Mallet, had been acting odd lately and hanging around suspicious people. They said he was suspected of using drugs. They also told police Mallet had recently worked for an alarm company and had done maintenance work on his aunt's alarm in the past.
Not long after the incident, new information came to light. Another family member received money from Mallet as payment for a debt, but thought it looked suspicious. Mallet gave her two $100 bills, both in an older style not in circulation.
When Mallet's home was searched, drug paraphernalia was found, but none of the stolen items were there. However, a friend of Mallet's said Mallet had been staying at the Super 8 Motel. He said when he visited, he saw sandwich bags containing jewelry and coins.
When police searched the hotel, Mallet was not there, but several of his aunt's stolen items were. A warrant was issued for Mallet's arrest.
However, it was not until over a month later that Mallet was finally apprehended. He was trying to buy a gun at a store on Lee Highway when the required background check notified the store owner that he had a warrant. Police were called soon after.
Bond was set at $12,500, and Mallet is scheduled to appear in the courtroom of Judge David Bales on April 8.