Tennessee fugitive caught after tip, wanted for theft

A Tennessee man who was living in Rogersville has been arrested on fugitive warrants that accuse him of taking nearly $500,000 in luxury items from a woman in Monroe County, Tenn., authorities said.

Johnny Frank McMeans, 54, who was living at 13076 U.S. 72, Rogersville, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on theft of property fugitive warrants from Monroe County, Tenn., said Rogersville police Sgt. Patrick Minor.

Minor said Sgt. B.J. Tully received information that McMeans could be living in the Rogersville area.

"Sgt. Tully got out looking and found where he was living. We obtained the fugitive from justice warrant and made the arrest," Minor said.

Police said McMeans was taken into custody without incident.

Minor said that at the time of his arrest, McMeans had identification showing that he had lived on Old Lee Highway in Philadelphia, Tenn.

He said the department was sent a list of items reported taken from woman in Tennessee. Minor said of the $500,000 worth of reported stolen items, authorities have recovered about two-thirds.

"What we recovered was about $300,00 to $325,000 in value," Minor said.

Reports indicate officers recovered a motor home, a 42-foot flatbed trailer, a 2007 Harley Davidson Edition Ford Truck, a 2007 21-foot Ranger bass boat, a motor and trailer as well as a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle and a 2007 Suzuki four-wheeler.

Minor said the four-wheeler had already been sold to someone in Limestone County.

"McMeans claimed he had been in business with the victim and he was authorized to have these items," Minor said. "Apparently, that wasn't the case."

McMeans is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center waiting to be extradited to Monroe County, Tenn.

Officials said they are still looking for a black 2005 Horton enclosed hauler trailer that was supposed to have been taken by McMeans.

Anyone with information about the trailer is asked to call Rogersville police at 247-8863 or Shoals Area CrimeStoppers at 386-8685.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.