Lafayette Man Arrested For Burglaries

By Jessie Williams 

A Lafayette man is behind bars after local enforcement connected him to a burglary, following his recent release from jail for the same crime. 

According to Macon County Detective Jacob McClard, a series of incidents involving 30-year-old Eric Brummitt, began on March 21 when deputies  were dispatched to a residence on Rocky Mound Rd. that was up for auction.

The complainant stated they could see multiple individuals going in and out of the garage. 

While officers were en route to the address, they observed a female subject walking on Rocky Mound Rd. and stopped to speak with her. She told officers she had just gotten into an argument with two males up the road.

When deputies arrived at the residence, the individuals and vehicles were gone, but officers did observe that the garage door had been pried open. 

At that time, the land owner and realtor were contacted and the case was turned over to detectives. 

Upon further investigation, an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 in tools were found to be stolen from the garage.

Detectives were able to locate one of the subjects that was seen in a vehicle at the residence.

They also learned that some of the stolen tools were being stored at a residence on Addison Hollow Rd. 

When detectives arrived at the address, they discovered roughly $5,000 worth of the stolen items and found out they were dropped off by Mr. Brummitt.

The following day Brummitt was arrested on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, vandalism and theft of property over $5,000.

Although his bond was set at $25,000, Mr. Brummitt was able to bond out of jail and was released.

On April 2, 2021, deputies were called out to an address on Green Grove Rd. after a 911 caller reported someone was breaking into her residence.

Upon their arrival, Deputy Jake Ayers spoke with the resident, who stated that the subject took off on foot when he heard police sirens.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol, along officers from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to locate the suspect but were unsuccessful. 

Officers did, however, locate a vehicle near the scene and obtained the registration information.

That information led Deputies Aaron Shipley and Josh Meador to the vehicle owner’s home – where they observed numerous unopened Dewalt and Milwaukee brand power tools. 

The deputies were told that Mr. Brummitt brought the tools to the residence to store them. The tools were identified as the remaining stolen items from the Rocky Mound residence, and they were returned to their owner.

When deputies Meador and Shipley provided the Green Grove Rd. burglary victim with a photo lineup of individuals, the 911 caller identified Brummitt as the man who broke into her residence.

As the search from Brummitt continued, the Lafayette Police Department received reports regarding stolen fence posts from Winding Stairs Park, and during their investigation were able to arrest Brummitt for the charges filed against him by the Macon County Sheriffs Department. 

Brummitt is currently being held without bond at the Macon County Jail on the charges of aggravated burglary, criminal trespass and evading arrest. 

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are pending.

Macon County Sheriff Mark Gammons would like to thank all of the officers involved, and urges residents with any information regarding illegal activity to contact his office. Callers may remain anonymous.