ORLEANS – The Orleans Police Department has announced the arrest of an Orleans man in connection with a stolen vehicle incident that resulted in significant damage to Green Hill Cemetery.
On Monday, June 23, at approximately 8:09 p.m., Orleans Officer Chris Hubbard responded to a report of a vehicle accident at Green Hill Cemetery. Dispatch advised that a witness observed the driver fleeing the scene on foot and provided a description of the individual.
Upon arrival, Officer Hubbard discovered a blue 2008 Chevrolet Silverado within the cemetery grounds, which had caused damage to several headstones, property of the Town of Orleans. Through investigation, Officer Hubbard determined that the truck was registered to Coleman Sawmill Supply, located in Orleans. Contact was made with the owner, who confirmed the truck had been stolen from his business located at 260 North 6th Street.
The owner informed Officer Hubbard that he had recently fired an employee and suspected that he was involved in the vehicle theft. Utilizing this information and a variety of investigative techniques, Officer Hubbard, with assistance from Orange County Deputy Marcus Ashby, positively identified the male who fled the scene as Cody Smith of Orleans.
Cody Smith was subsequently taken into custody and charged with auto theft, leaving the scene of an accident, and operating a vehicle while being a habitual traffic violator. Smith is currently housed at the Orange County Jail, pending bond and arraignment.
Initial estimates place the damage to Green Hill Cemetery and the stolen vehicle between $ 15,000 and $ 20,000.
According to Chief Jim Lindsey, the Orleans Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the Town of Orleans through dedicated law enforcement and community engagement.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
