Homeowner fights off man he found in his home

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – Bradley County deputies have arrested a suspect in an early morning break-in on Bates Pike.

A homeowner told 911 that he found his back door ajar and someone was in his house.

He said he got into a fight with the man, who fled to escape.

The suspect drove off in a gray Ford Ranger.

Deputies soon spotted the vehicle and followed in a short chase before the vehicle stopped.

31 year old Cody Tyler Appling was arrested for Aggravated Burglary.

Deputies also found he was driving a stolen truck and he also had some meth on him.

They also say he resisted arrest.

Appling now faces the following charges:

Driving on a suspended license

Resisting Arrest

Possession of Schedule 2 (Meth)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Felony Evading

Aggravated Burglary

Burglary of an Auto

Sheriff Steve Lawson says “I commend the homeowner for being aware and taking the proper steps to alert our deputies.”

“With his help we were able to apprehend Mr. Appling and get him off the streets. Burglary crimes are some of the most personal crimes we deal with.  As a result, we work diligently to catch perpetrators, and punish them to the fullest extent of the law.”