When Jeff Masterson realized his truck had been stolen Friday morning from Legacy Chevron on Highway 43, he wasn't worried about the truck, or the two guns he had in the vehicle, or the several thousand in cash that was in the truck, or the recently filled prescriptions that were also gone.
His one focus was on the precious cargo in the back of the pickup—his 20-month old German shepherd Jett.
Masterson was reunited Saturday morning with Jett after a man was taken into custody in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. Masterson was relieved to find his dog healthy and safe.
Shawn Allen Scott, 32, 109 Filmore St., Russellville, was taken into custody by Tishomingo County sheriff's deputies and will be returned to Franklin County where he faces felony theft charges related to the vehicle and possession of prescription drugs. As of late Saturday, the truck has not been recovered.
According to Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett, Scott contacted RPD dispatch early Saturday and told the dispatcher he heard officers were looking for him and that he hadn't stolen a truck.
Scott said he had Jett with him and minutes later, deputies arrived at a Tishomingo County park and took him, and Jett, into custody. At the time of his arrest, Scott possessed two of Masterson's prescription bottles on his person, Hargett said.
Masterson said he pulled into Legacy Friday morning, as he always does, to get a biscuit. He left his keys in the truck and went inside.
“I ran in there and there was one guy ahead of me. He and I talked. I stopped to put some jelly on my biscuit and went out the door and my truck was gone,” Masterson said. “I first thought someone was messing with me. The police came right away and looked at the security video to identify the suspect.”
Masterson said a witness told him Scott nearly collided with another vehicle as he pulled out of the Chevron parking lot. Masterson immediately took to Facebook and posted a picture of the man and of his missing dog. He offered several rewards throughout Friday for Jett's safe return.
“I kept throwing rewards out there hoping he'd be somewhere where he'd see it and think it would benefit him to turn in,” Masterson said. “Someone showed him the Facebook posts so he called RPD and told them he couldn't believe someone accused him of this. Dispatcher (Patti) Landers and Officer (Craig) Bullion kept him on the line and told him they were just trying to recover the dog. He said 'I've got the dog. I've had it all night. I've been feeding it hamburgers,'” Masterson added.
Early Saturday, Masterson was reunited with Jett, who was happy and healthy.
While he'd never want to thank someone for allegedly stealing his truck, Masterson is thankful that Scott cared for the dog.
“At least the guy had somewhat of a heart. I'm thankful he took care of her. Other stuff can be replaced and insured but Jett is part of the family,” Masterson said.
Masterson raised Jett since she was a young puppy and she converted him into being a 'dog person.'
“I was the type years ago I grew up and thought oh, that's just a dog. But I raised Jett from a pup and she's with me every step of the way. People don't understand how much a part of the family they are. She's priceless to me,” Masterson said.
The Masterson family expressed its appreciation to the Russellville Police Department for investigating and handling the case, and to the thousands of folks on Facebook who spread the word about Jett missing and the reward.
“We had well over 1,000 likes by Saturday afternoon when I was able to announce we had her back in our hands,” Masterson said. “It just touches me. Most everybody is a pet lover and they can be like their child. That made me think. What if this had been someone's child? Imagine getting out and pumping gas with a child in a car seat and a minute later, that child is gone.
“It's sad we're at that point where so many transient people are in Russellville. It's dangerous. These prescription drugs and illegal drugs are really hurting our country and our community,” Masterson said.
