Whitley dispatcher resigns following shoplifting arrest

A Whitley County E-911 dispatcher has resigned following allegations that he allegedly shoplifted items from the Williamsburg IGA Sunday afternoon.

Brandon Byrd, 25, of Williamsburg, turned himself in at the Whitley County Detention Center Monday afternoon where Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird served him with an arrest warrant that charged him with theft by unlawful taking-shoplifting under $500.

Williamsburg IGA Manager Jonathan Huddleston took out an arrest warrant on Byrd Monday alleging that on Sunday, June 26, about 3 p.m., Byrd concealed a small box of tea and two packages of grilled chicken in his shorts and exited the store without paying for the merchandise, according to the arrest warrant.

Whitley District Judge Cathy Prewitt signed the arrest warrant about 3:07 p.m. Monday, according to a court document. Byrd was booked into the jail at 5:41 p.m. Monday and released from jail the following day at 12:44 p.m. on a $750 surety bond, according to the detention center’s website.

Chief Bird said that he is not sure how Byrd knew a warrant had been taken out for his arrest.

Whitley County Projects Director Amber Owens said that IGA management apparently contacted Williamsburg police after the incident and when police realized the suspect worked at the 911 center, they notified 911 Director Jason Wilson Sunday afternoon.

After Wilson was made aware of the situation Sunday, he initially placed Byrd on an unpaid suspension until the issue was resolved, Owens said.

Owens said that Byrd resigned his position as a dispatcher early Tuesday afternoon shortly after he was released from jail. The resignation was effective immediately.

Byrd was hired as a part-time 911 dispatcher on Nov. 23, 2015, but at the time of his resignation he had not yet been sent to the academy for formal training.

So far, no arraignment date has been scheduled in the case.