Bowling arrested for auto burglary

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- A breaking and entering call on Wed., Sept. 10, around 10am, sent LaFollette Police Officer Jackson Stagnolia to 2208 Jacksboro Pike, LaFollette. Stagnolia spoke with a man who reported he had left his vehicle at 2208 Jacksboro Pike at approximately 7:30am on Sept. 9am, and it did not appear to have been broken into at that time.

However at approximately 10am on Sept. 10, he discovered that someone had broken into his vehicle. The victim reported that his doors had been left unlocked, and someone had rummaged through the interior of the vehicle. The victim told the officer that he was missing about $50 in loose change, a socket set, ratchet set, an iPhone 12pro and frame sliders for a Ninja500-Z500 (2024-25) from his vehicle.

A report from the LaFollette Police Department said Stagnolia did note various items were scattered throughout the vehicle. Video surveillance footage from the business, White’s Tire & Auto, around 1am showed a female walking down the hill behind and beside of the business. She then proceeded to the right side of the vehicle and continued past it. About 20 seconds later, a male was seen walking beside the business. He approached the vehicle, opened the left rear door, looked inside, closed the door and walked away. Around 4am, surveillance footage showed a male walked down the hill behind and then beside of the business.

He approached the vehicle on the left side and entered through the left rear passenger door, got inside and shut the door behind him. Due to the cameras at the business being motion activated the cameras did not capture the man getting out of the vehicle.

On Sept. 11, LPD Sgt. Anthony Mahar was on patrol around 4pm when he saw a male and a female walking in the parking lot of Save-a-Lot. Mahar recognized the male as Ronald Odell Bowling who was suspected of breaking into the vehicle. Mahar spoke with the man and asked him where he was on the night of Sept. 10. Bowling told Mahar that he didn’t remember where he was on that date. He then questioned him if he was around 2208 Jacksboro Pike and responded that he walked down the hill on a trail. He then asked him about breaking into a vehicle and replied that he broke into a car to stay warm. Mahar then questioned Bowling about what all he stole, and he stated some tools and proceeded to identify the tools. He was asked how much money he took from the vehicle, and he reported some change that he took to Food City and changed in for cash.

On Sept. 19, Stagnolia found Bowling at 1201 West Chestnut Street, LaFollette, behind a group of port-potties and arrested him on a warrant.

Bowling, 43, homeless, LaFollette was charged with theft of property $1,000 or less and auto burglary. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-09/29/2025-6AM)