Police Say Insurance Employee Recognized Man Seeking Coverage As One Who Just Burglarized Her Home

  • Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Samuel Dale Wiley
Samuel Dale Wiley

Police said an employee of State Farm Insurance recognized that a man who came in asking about coverage had been the one who burglarized her home the day before.

Samuel Dale Wiley, 35, of 2620 Boyce St., was arrested for aggravated burglary and theft.

James Cooper said when he arrived at his home on Old Dayton Pike last Tuesday he saw a white male walking out of his house. The man was carrying his 55" TV.

When the burglar saw the homeowner, he threw the TV into a gray SUV and tried to leave. He tried to get to a neighbor's yard, but could not get over a hump. He then backed into a truck that was parked in the back yard.

The intruder then drove toward him. Mr. Cooper said he got out of the way because his daughter was in his vehicle and he did not want her to get hurt.

The next day, Mr. Cooper's wife said a man came in saying he needed insurance for a Dodge pickup. The man gave his name and information. She said she told him that State Farm does not offer the type of insurance he needed.

She said after the man left she looked out the window and recognized the vehicle he was driving as the same one her husband had videoed during the burglary. The back light had been busted out. Ms. Cooper noticed that there was tape over the broken light.

She then called her husband and gave him the name. A sheriff's detective then arrested Wiley. 

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 5/2/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ASHBURN, CASSANDRA GRACE 2000 EAST 23RD STREET CHATTANOOGA, Age at Arrest: 41 years old Arresting Agency: Erlanger Hospital Booked ... more

Fire Destroys Mowbray Home
  • 5/1/2024

A neighbor on Wednesday frantically called 911 reporting a loud explosion and house fire located at 1018 Bunker Ridge Trail. The Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the ... more

Lawsuits Dropped Against Walden Vice Mayor Lizzy Schmidt
  • 5/1/2024

Lawsuits that had been filed against Walden Vice Mayor Lizzy Schmidt have been dropped. The plaintiffs entered into a voluntary dismissal in Circuit Court. A group wanting to build a town ... more