Edmonson County man charged with vehicle theft, drug possession

BEE SPRING, Ky. – An Edmonson County man is facing multiple charges, including vehicle theft.

According to a uniform citation, Edmonson County dispatch received a call Saturday at 9:20 p.m. regarding a stolen vehicle.

Authorities say the caller stated she knew “who probably stole it” and that the individual had picked up the vehicle without permission from a mechanic shop.

Early the next morning, the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Department says 43-year-old Richard Smith of Bee Spring returned with the vehicle after it had been entered as stolen.

Deputies say they located Smith toward the back of the property and that he was “calm and cooperative.”

Smith was arrested. Deputies say Smith stated he had picked up the vehicle due to the mechanic not “working on it properly” and that he was “preventing” the victim “from getting scammed.”

While searching Smith’s residence on the property, authorities say they located methamphetamine and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

Smith remains at the Hart County Jail on charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition auto between $1,000 and $10,000, drug paraphernalia – buy/possess and first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second offense (methamphetamine).