A Carter County man faces multiple charges after police say he stole his ex-girlfriend’s SUV then purposely struck a car with a woman and two children inside.
Officers of the Elizabethton Police Department arrested Michael Ryan Shepherd, 28, of 2023 Dave Buck Road, Johnson City, Thursday and charged him with three counts of aggravated assault, theft of a motor vehicle, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, possession of Schedule II drugs and possession of Schedule III drugs.
The investigation leading to Shepherd’s arrest began shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday when officers went to a city apartment complex on a report of a stolen vehicle.
The vehicle’s owner said her ex-boyfriend, whom she identified as Shepherd, came to her apartment that afternoon to collect some of his belongings and began asking her for money. When she refused to give him any money, she told police he took her 1997 Chevrolet Blazer without her permission.
As Shepherd was leaving with the SUV, the woman said he “rammed” her 2002 Mercury Sable while her two children and a friend were sitting in the car.
“Mr. Shepherd called (the woman) while I was there, and he told her he wasn’t going to return the vehicle,” EPD Officer Kenneth Lowe said. “Mr. Shepherd told her he was going to leave the vehicle at the Shell station in Bluff City. Bluff City Police advised the vehicle was not at the Shell station.”
Lowe obtained warrants for Shepherd’s arrest in connection with the stolen car and ramming the vehicle with the three passengers inside.
Shortly before 6 p.m., officers were once again called to the apartment complex when Shepherd returned. Officers found Shepherd walking behind one of the apartment buildings and took him into custody. When officers searched Shepherd they found a syringe, the prescription medication suboxone and a small amount of methamphetamine in his pockets according to a police report.
Shepherd appeared in General Sessions Court on Friday where he was arraigned and an attorney with the public defenders office was appointed to represent him. Judge Keith Bowers set Shepherd’s bond at $5,000 and scheduled his next court appearance for Aug. 17.