Francis Riddle, 34, Smyrna
Smyrna Police Department investigators have arrested a local man for assaulting a jogger. On Wednesday evening, 11/20, at approximately 10:30 p.m., SPD officers were alerted by a local 26-year-old woman about an assault that had just occurred in the downtown area. The victim advised Police that she was jogging in the area of S Main St and Commerce St when a male suspect grabbed her by her hair and stuck a knife to her back. The victim was able to fight off her attacker and get away with minor injuries. She provided a detailed description of the suspect, and an initial canvass of the area was unsuccessful. On Thursday morning, with the assistance of downtown surveillance and public tips, detectives were able to identify the suspect as Francis Riddle, 34, of Smyrna. Officers located Mr. Riddle in the 600 block of Lexington Ave and took him into custody without incident. The motive for this incident remains unknown. Detectives charged Mr. Riddle with the below-listed crimes, and he was arraigned via video court in JP #2 and committed to the Dept. of Corrections in lieu of $78,000 cash bail pending a future court hearing. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Smyrna Police Department would like to thank all those citizens who provided tips and our downtown business community who provided us with surveillance footage.
Charges:
Possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony
Assault 2nd degree
Aggravated menacing
Unlawful Imprisonment 1st degree
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