Burglars Busted in Tipton County Cotton Field

Some Tipton County burglary suspects, who prompted a multi-agency search by land and air, are now behind bars. One is even charged with assaulting the sheriff.

The suspects were officially charged Thursday. Deputies say they were breaking into homes when residents weren't home and stealing guns and ammunition.

Law enforcement officers from Memphis to Covington scoured cotton fields for 7 hours. They credit the Tipton County Sheriff's Department with breaking the case wide open.

It was in a Tipton County cotton field off Yarbrough Road, where several burglary suspects hunkered down for 7 hours while deputies searched for them Wednesday.

According to Deputy Chief Donna Turner with the Tipton County Sheriff's Department, "Obviously the cotton in the field was 3-4 feet tall; someone could squat down and be out of site, so it was a waiting game."

Around noon, four men were spotted breaking into homes. Three ran into the cotton fields. One suspect, 21-year old Marquise Middlebrook, was caught by the Tipton County Sheriff who was patrolling the area at the time.

Middlebrook was charged with assaulting an officer after nearly breaking the Sheriff's thumb.

Determined to catch the suspects, deputies cornered off several acres and combed the fields by foot, while a Memphis Police helicopter searched by air. Deputies say the local cotton farmers played a huge role.

"They actually stopped and got on top of the combines because they knew we were searching cotton fields, allowed our deputies to get on top of one of the combines," said Turner. "That resulted in us being able to catch the one guy when he popped his head up."

18-year old Travoi Middlebrook, 18-year old Jeremy Middlebrook and 19-year old Nathan Cook were ultimately arrested and charged with aggravated burglary, vandalism, resisting arrest and theft of property.

Hidden in the cotton field, deputies later recovered a big screen TV and a stockpile of stolen weapons.

"We are fortunate it didn't escalate into exchange of gunfire," said Turner.

Deputies say there is still some stolen property missing.
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