Orval Heard
A Sale Creek man has been charged in the burglary of two ATVs and other items from a house on Stormer Road in Soddy Daisy where the owner had died.
Orval Heard, 52, of Honeybee Lane, is charged with theft over $2,500, theft of an ATV, aggravated burglary and vandalism.
At the same time, he was charged in an ATV burglary in Rhea County.
A woman told authorities that the property on Stormer Road belonged to her brother, but he died six months ago. She said she and other family members go to the property daily.
She said she noticed on Jan. 23 that doors to the the house were open and a number of items were missing, including a $1,500 ATV. A $3,000 ATV belonging to someone else but stored at the house was also gone.
Other items taken included several weedeaters, a music box, tools, Christmas snow babies, a coat, dishes and a blanket.
She said there is a camera set up at the house and it might have caught the perpetrator.
Detectives from Rhea and Hamilton County went to Heard's home on Feb. 6. Rhea detectives said he has a history of breaking into homes where the owner has recently died. He said he also steals ATVs. Heard was spotted driving a stolen ATV at a traffic light in Rhea County.
Heard denied breaking into the home on Stormer Road. However, detectives said when they were able to look at the video it showed Heard inside the house.
The ATVs take from Stormer Road have not been found.