LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- LaFollette Police Officer Anthony Mahar was dispatched to the Shell gas station, Main Street Shell, at 219 West Central Ave. about an alleged theft. When Mahar arrived, he spoke with the victim who stated they had left their phone on the counter, and when they returned for it, the phone was gone.

Mahar looked at the camera footage and saw Deborah Sue Wallace grab the phone with her right hand and move it to her left hand, then walk out of the store. Mahar found Wallace walking on West Iron St. and made contact with her. Officer Mahar noticed the stolen phone was tucked under her arm, indicating she was trying to conceal it. The patrolman took the phone from her and questioned her about it, and Wallace stated that it was hers, according to a report from the LaFollette Police Department.

The longer Officer Mahar talked to the woman the more he noticed her moving in a fast uncontrolled manner. He asked her again where she got the phone, and she reported that she found it on the side of the road. Wallace allegedly continued to move in an uncontrolled manner and talk at a fast pace. The officer believed the woman was under the influence of a substance that was impairing her. He turned the stolen phone on and called the number the victim had given him. The phone rang showing Office Mahar’s number.

Wallace, 49, 405 N 9th Street, LaFollette was charged with theft of property $1,000-$2,500 and public intoxication. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-03/17/2025-6AM)

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