Man ‘robbed’ after picking up alleged thieves

By Iva Butler
of The Daily Times Staff

A simple trip to a Green Acres Flea Market ended in misadventure April 8 for a Powell man and two passengers he had picked up.

According to a Blount County Sheriff’s Office report, the Powell man was giving Joseph Eugene Clabough, 26, Grade Road, Rockford, and Michelle Lee Doss, 33, Louella Drive, Maryville, a ride from a McDonald’s restaurant on Merchant Drive in Knoxville to Green Acres Flea Market in Louisville. The two subjects had asked the man for a lift.

They were driving a rented PT Cruiser down Alcoa Highway at 12:08 p.m. April 8 when Doss told the driver to pull into Lakeview Way because they had a friend there.
As the Powell man pulled into Lakview Way, Clabough told him they “hated” to do this “but grandpa, we have to rob you, so give me your wallet,” according to the sheriff’s report.

Doss grabbed the man’s hand, and Clabough got out of the back seat and attempted to prevent the driver from getting out of the vehicle, the report states.

The Powell man was able to get away from both subjects. Clabough then grabbed his left hand and the Powell man began screaming for someone to call the police.
A woman heard his screams and called 9-1-1 for help.

Clabough and Doss then left in the PT Cruiser headed toward Alcoa Highway.
The victim was not injured during the incident.

A Loudon Police Department officer spotted the PT Cruiser on Friday and took Doss and Clabough into custody. Blount County deputies picked them up from Loudon County.

Clabough was charged Friday with theft of a motor vehicle over $10,000, simple assault, attachment for contempt and theft under $500. He is being held under $17,250 bond pending appearances April 14, 16 and 18 in Blount County General Sessions Court.

Doss was charged with theft of a motor vehicle over $10,000, simple assault felony violation of probation and four attachments for contempt. She is being held in jail under $28,275 bond pending appearances April 14, 16 and 21 in Blount County General Sessions Court.

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4/16/08