BEDFORD — Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department requested a warrant for the arrest of Bryon Watson of Bedford following an investigation into the theft of an air conditioning unit from Popcorn Christian Church and related criminal mischief charges. Watson, 40, faces felony charges from the October 31, 2024, incident.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Thomas Porter, Watson is accused of stealing an air conditioning unit from the church property, causing damage estimated to exceed $750 but less than $50,000. The charges also include criminal mischief related to property damage at the church.
The investigation began after the church’s groundskeeper contacted Captain Andrew Phillips to report the theft. He also informed police that video surveillance footage of the incident was available. Officer Porter and the investigating team reviewed the footage, which showed a man in a distinctive orange and blue sports team cap, dark jeans, and black-and-red tennis shoes driving a dark-colored Chevrolet Cruze. The vehicle had a unique alloy rim package, non-tinted windows, and a circular sports team sticker in the back window.
Using the Flock camera system, law enforcement tracked the vehicle’s movements and identified the registered owner as Cindy Gould, who lives in the area. Gould told police that while she had allowed her daughter, Carrie Watson, to borrow the car, she had not permitted her husband, Bryon Watson, to use it.
On November 16, 2024, Officer Porter, Sergeant Robin Compton, and Officer Chris Griggs went to the Watson residence in the 1000 block of C Street in Bedford. There, they found the Chevrolet Cruze in the driveway, matching the description from the surveillance footage. Upon speaking with Carrie Watson, she admitted that her husband had had the vehicle on the day of the theft, though she was hesitant to provide further details.
During the conversation, officers noticed an orange and blue sports cap—matching the one in the video footage—sitting on a bookshelf inside the home. When questioned about her husband’s whereabouts, Carrie stated that Bryon had been at a friend’s house but did not want to provide a specific location.
After further inquiry, Sergeant Compton learned from Carrie’s son that Bryon had been hiding on the back porch. When officers found Bryon, he was detained and read his Miranda rights. According to the affidavit, Bryon appeared agitated, refusing to make eye contact with officers, and seemed to be speaking to someone named “Phil” or “Bill.”
Carrie Watson told officers that Bryon suffered from mental illness and had been off his medication for several weeks. She also acknowledged that he had dropped her off at work earlier in the day and had kept the car afterward.
A search of the basement at the Watson residence revealed aluminum and copper clippings scattered around the porch area, indicating that parts from the stolen air conditioning unit had been dismantled. The tools used to disassemble the unit were also found at the scene. When shown photos of the suspect from the church’s surveillance footage, Carrie reportedly gasped and began crying but did not confirm whether the individual in the video was her husband.
Despite concerns over Bryon Watson’s medical condition, law enforcement opted not to arrest him immediately. Officers allowed time for him to seek medical care and return to his medication. Before leaving, they photographed Bryon’s tattoos and matching clothing items—specifically, his tennis shoes, which matched those seen in the video footage.
Investigators requested an arrest warrant for Byron Watson on charges of theft, a Level 6 felony, and criminal mischief against a religious building or grounds, a Level 6 felony.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
