Joshua White

Nicholas Morton

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Bradley County detectives have charged two men for their involvement in several auto burglaries. 

The result of a traffic stop by Tennessee Highway Patrol led to the discovery of two handguns, reportedly stolen from a local residence.

After further investigation, Bradley County Sheriff Office’s detectives were able to solve numerous auto burglaries that occurred throughout Bradley County. 

Detectives were able to determine Nicholas Morton allegedly was involved in burglaries throughout the Thoroughbred Subdivision and other locations off Mouse Creek Road. It was also determined Joshua White allegedly was involved in burglaries on Convenant Drive. 

Morton, an 18 year-old from Cleveland, is facing the following charges:

• Four counts of burglary of a motor vehicle, and

• Four counts of theft under $1,000. 

Joshua Ebonney White, a Cleveland 19-year-old, is facing of:

• Two  counts of burglary of a motor vehicle, and 

• Two counts of theft under $1,000. 

Morton also faces additional charges from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Cleveland Police Department. These charges include Burglary of a motor vehicle, theft over $1,000, simple possession, speeding,  no seatbelt and  no insurance. 

White also faces additional charges from Tennessee Highway Patrol. They include possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony,  two counts of theft of property over $500 , possession of schedule VI for resale, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of theft. 

Sheriff Eric Watson stated, “Our property crimes detectives, with the assistance from Tennessee Highway Patrol, are to be commended for solving these auto burglaries. Our agency’s detectives are committed to solving these kinds of crimes in order to prevent future crimes from occurring." 

"Residents should remember," Watson continued, "that most criminals look for opportunity — so don’t give them one. Remember to lock your vehicle’s doors, remove any valuables, and report suspicious activity. If you realize you were the victim of a crime, please notify law enforcement. Even if you don’t think they took anything, reporting it helps the sheriff’s office track the criminal activity trends in our community."

The sheriff said this also helps his office to solve more cases, if they make an arrest in one case and link it to others. He said the goal at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is to prevent crime, solve crimes that have already occurred, and ensure our community remains a safe place to live.