MARION – The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says one person has been arrested and two others are still on the run in connection with the theft of a camper Christmas morning on Thompsonville Road in rural Williamson County.
According to the sheriff’s office, Brittany A. Stanley was cited for Theft greater than $500 and less than $10,000 – a Class 3 felony – and was lodged in the Williamson County Jail. Stanley was also taken into custody for outstanding arrest warrants out of Franklin County.
On Wednesday, arrest warrants were issued for the two remaining suspects – Levi J. Flute and Terry A. Flute. Both are wanted for Theft greater than $500 and less than $10,000 – a Class 3 felony. The sheriff’s office says you should not approach or attempt to apprehend these suspects.
Anyone with information should contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or the Williamson County Crime Stoppers at 800-414-TIPS (8477).
The sheriff’s office says just after 10 a.m. Monday, deputies responded to the report of a stolen camper on Thompsonville Road in rural Williamson County. Deputies determined the camper was stolen at 7:15 a.m. that morning.
While investigating the theft, deputies were able to obtain video surveillance from a nearby residence which showed a suspect vehicle (orange Hummer) departing with the stolen camper.
A citizen, having identified it as suspicious, followed the vehicle as it traveled south on Thompsonville Road and recorded the vehicles license plate.
Then at 2:08 p.m. Monday, deputies located the suspect vehicle at a Huck’s gas station in Marion. The driver, identified as Brittany A. Stanley, was taken into custody for outstanding arrest warrants out of Franklin County. Stanley was transported to the Williamson County Jail.
When asked, Stanley stated she was not the owner of the Hummer and that she borrowed it from Terry A. Flute. Stanley stated Terry Flute had picked her up from West Frankfort “this morning” and traveled to his parent’s house in Marion. Stanley denied any involvement in the theft of a camper. Stanley said she was with Terry Flute and the vehicle all day and remained adamant that it was not used to pull a camper.
At 4 p.m. Monday, Terry Flute was located and voluntarily came to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office for an interview. Terry Flute stated that Stanley, his brother Levi Flute, and he drove the Hummer to a location that he was not familiar with and stole a camper. Terry Flute said Levi Flute was driving and Stanley was in the passenger seat. Terry Flute stated that Levi Flute hooked the camper up to the vehicle to be able to transport it. Terry Flute stated they took the camper back to Levi Flute’s house located on Mocaby Road in rural Thompsonville. Terry Flute said the camper was pulled around to the backside of the residence and was stuck in the mud.
Deputies responded to Levi Flute’s home and verified that the stolen camper was located where Terry Flute had indicated. The camper was recovered, towed from the scene, and the family was notified that their camper had been recovered.
At 6 p.m. Monday, investigators interviewed Stanley at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. Stanley stated that she was with Levi Flute and Terry Flute in the Hummer during the morning hours of Christmas. Stanley stated the three of them went to Thompsonville and took the camper and transported it back to Levi Flute’s home. Stanley said she had the title to the camper and bought it off of Southern Swap. Stanley stated the title was in the Hummer in the passenger side sun visor, which was later recovered by investigators.
Stanley remained adamant that she bought the camper but did not have proof of purchase.
At 10:40 p.m. Monday, Stanley notified jail staff that she would like to speak with investigators again. During this interview, Stanley stated she lied to investigators in the previous interview.
Stanley stated that in the early morning hours on Christmas, Levi Flute and Terry Flute picked her up from West Frankfort in the Hummer. Stanley stated they went to Levi Flute’s home prior to going to Terry and Levi Flute’s parents’ house in Marion. Stanley stated they left Levi Flute’s to go to Marion and “saw the camper” and decided to steal it. Stanley said they stole the camper and towed it to Levi Flute’s home. She stated all three of them went into the camper and “cleaned it out.”
Stanley said she observed Levi Flute gather various items including bedding, pillows, food and personal items in the camper and put them inside the front door of his home. Stanley said she did not buy the camper and got the title to the camper after Levi Flute found it in the camper oven.
Investigator’s responded to Levi Flute’s home on Mocaby Lane in an attempt to locate him. Upon arrival, they observed the front door to the home was partially open. From outside and standing in the front doorway, they saw multiple plastic bags of clothing, a small television and bedding setting on the floor inside the door and in plain view.
Investigators photographed the items from outside of the home and sent them to the victim who confirmed the items inside the door belonged to his family and were from the inside of his camper.
A search warrant was obtained and later executed at the residence on Mocaby Lane.
During the search, the items confirmed to be owned by the victim and his family were recovered.
