Monterey PD News

On Saturday July 11th, 2026 at approximately 10:18 pm, Monterey Officers initiated a traffic stop on a white Nissan Sedan on I 40 MM 302 for a registration display violation. During the traffic stop, Officers built suspicion that another crime was being committed and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office K9 was requested. The K9 conducted an open air sniff and alerted on the vehicle leading Officers to discover approximately 18.8 Grams of suspected methamphetamine along with other items associated with the use and sale of illegal drugs. Kyle Parks, the driver, is charged with Manufacture, Sale, Delivery, and possession of Methamphetamine/ Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/and Driving while in Possession of Methamphetamine and held on $70,000 bond. Richard Hall the passenger is charged with Manufacture, Sale, Delivery, and possession of methamphetamine, Possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia and held on a  $110,000 Bond.  Day and Night we are protecting Monterey. 

UPDATE:  We have been contacted by other businesses that Mr. Welles attempted to cash the check with.  If you have any information or Mr. Welles attempted to cash the check with your business, please contact us via this post or call us at (931) 839-2323.  

On Friday July 10th the Monterey Police Department was made aware that an individual was attempting to cash a $5,000.00 check from his mother in law on a closed account.  Mr. Welles also attempted to cash the check at One Bank and Builtwell Bank and also attempted to make a large purchase with the same check at Landers.  Monterey Police officers went to his residence in an attempt to make contact with him.  Upon arrival, Mr. Welles ran into the house and slammed the front door on the officers.  The officers attempted to get Mr. Welles to come out and speak with them, when he yelled through the door that he had a gun and would drop them on the porch.  Officers were able to open the door where Mr. Welles fought all three of the officers just inside the doorway.  After a short fight Mr. Welles was taken into custody and placed into handcuffs.  He was transported to the Putnam County Jail where he was booked in and was given a total bond of $16,600 on charges of Forgery and Resisting Arrest.

On Saturday June 20th a home in Monterey was burglarized and items were removed from the home.  The Monterey Police Department responded to the residence and began their investigation.  After a thorough investigation by the Monterey Police Department, Mr. Michael Lynn Vernon was developed as a suspect.  A warrant for his arrest was taken out in Putnam County.  On Monday June 22nd after searching for Mr. Vernon, he was located at a home in Cumberland County where he was taken into custody and booked into the Cumberland County Jail.  He will be transferred to the Putnam County Jail where he will be served with the warrant that the Monterey Police Department swore out.  Although Mr. Vernon was arrested, the investigation continues and there may be others who will be charged in connection with the investigation.

On Monday June 1st at 7:15 AM, the Monterey Police Department received a call of a burglary at the former Perdue facility.  Once officers arrived on scene they talked with two employees at the facility who stated they discovered several items missing when they arrived at work.  They told the officers that they had been able to see a suspect in the building but they never saw him leave.  Monterey Police officers then proceeded to clear the entire 340,000 square foot facility.  While they cleared the building, they were able to locate several items that had been piled up by exit doors.  Once the search had concluded, the officers began their investigation.  After making an inventory of the missing items and photographing the scene the officers were able to develop a suspect, Robert Wayne Phillips.  After leaving the facility, one officer was patrolling near the area of E. Lou’s Ave and Standing Stone Dr. and saw an individual that was believed to be Mr Phillips.  Mr. Phillips was taken to the Monterey Police Department for an interview.  During that interview he did admit to the burglary and theft and gave the officers the location where the items were.  Officers went to the residence and were able to recover the items.  Mr. Phillips was arrested and was taken to the Putnam County Jail where he was booked on charges of Burglary, Theft of Property and Vandalism.  His bond was set at a total of $87,500.00 

On Friday night May 8th Monterey Police made a traffic stop on E. Commercial Ave.  while conducting the traffic stop it was determined that Shaman Anderson-Lee Light was wanted on active warrants from Ohio.  The warrants from Ohio are for Arson and Theft.  He was also charged locally for driving on a suspended license.  He was transported to the Putnam County Jail where he was booked in and is being held without bond 

UPDATE:  Monterey Police Department arrived on scene and secured the scene and began life saving efforts for the child.  As the Monterey Library is a Putnam County facility, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office took over the investigation.  They along with the District Attorney's office will conduct the investigation going forward.

 At 3:58 pm this afternoon the Monterey Police Department received a dispatch of an unconscious child at the Monterey Public Library.  Monterey PD, Monterey Fire, Putnam County EMS, Putnam County Rescue Squad, and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded.  Please avoid the area on E. Commercial Ave. until further notice. We will post more updates as we are able to. 

At 2:26 pm, 911 received a call of an individual that had fallen from Bee Rock.  Emergency personnel responded quickly to the scene.  Once there, Monterey Police officers and Putnam County EMS personnel descended to where the individual was.  They found a 9 year old boy and began life saving measures, but sadly they were unsuccessful.  After some time the boy was brought back to the top of Bee Rock and was transported by EMS to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy’s family and friends during this time.  The Monterey Police Department would like to thank Monterey Fire Department, Putnam County EMS, Putnam County Rescue, Putnam County Fire, Putnam County EMA and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance today.