ST. JOSEPH, TN — A man was arrested early Friday morning after St. Joseph Police responded to a reported theft at a residence within the city.
According to the St. Joseph Police Department, the resident reported seeing an individual through a home security system arrive at the property, get out of a vehicle and take two gasoline cans from the garage area.
The resident provided officers with still images showing both the individual and the vehicle believed to be involved.
A short time later, a St. Joseph Police officer located a vehicle matching the one seen in the security footage parked at Dollar General. During the investigation, officers recovered the two gas cans reported stolen.
Police said two additional gas cans were also located. Investigators are working to determine who owns those items.
Matthew Hicks was taken into custody and transported to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department for booking. The two gas cans belonging to the reporting resident were returned.
City officials credited the resident’s quick report and security footage with helping officers identify and locate the vehicle involved.
“The City of St. Joseph commends the resident for promptly reporting the incident and providing security footage that assisted officers in quickly identifying and locating the vehicle involved,” the department said in its release.
Police said the incident highlights the role cooperation between residents and law enforcement can play in protecting the community.
Hicks is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
