From the Bell County Sheriff's Office -
A stolen pickup truck was posted on the Bell County Sheriff's social media page Monday morning June 8th. The truck was reported stolen from Dixie Auto Sales Sunday night June 7th.
The sheriff's office states in another post that Knox County Kentucky Deputies have arrested two individuals and charged them with the theft of the vehicle. The post goes on to thank the Knox County Sheriff's Office in apprehending the suspects.
Arrested was 45 year old Steven Lonnie Merida and 51 year old Randy Merida, both of Flat Lick, Kentucky.
Steven Merida, formerly of Atlanta Georgia was charged with receiving stolen property under $10,000, persistent felony offender, and was served a fugitive warrant. He was also charged with possession of a firearm by convicted felon when a loaded handgun was found in his possession. He is being held on a $50,000 cash bond.
Randy Merida was charged with receiving stolen property under $10,000 and has a $10,000 cash bond.
During the above arrests a 2006 Chevy pick-up was at the residence on Huston Broughton Road. Ownership of the vehicle, that contained a Kentucky registration tag belonging to a Cadillac sedan, could not be determined at that time so the vehicle was impounded and towed from the scene.
On Tuesday June 9, 2020 Deputy Liford was able to verify the vehicle was reported stolen from Claiborne County TN. Randy and Steven Merida will each receive an additional charge of receiving stolen property over $500. The investigation is continuing by Deputy Liford.
The two are being held in the Knox County Detention Center.