A man recently commended for his work as a firefighter has been arrested on theft charges.

David Middleton, 21, and Shawn Gibbons, 20, both of New Tazewell, were arrested for theft of farm equipment known as a sheep's foot. Middleton was recently recognized for his work with the Tazewell-New Tazewell Fire Department by being named co-Firefighter of the Year along with another man. He has been serving as the department's training officer.

According to police reports, Deputy Tim Shrout of the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department responded last Thursday morning to a call at Graceway Metals, located on Cedar Fork Road. A man there stated that two men had sold stolen materials to the scrap yard. He described the vehicle the men were in and the officer pursued them.

According to reports, the men had a police scanner with them and fled the scene when they heard the call dispatched out. Gibbons dropped Middleton off and he fled on foot. Middleton and Gibbons were both eventually apprehended and transported to the Claiborne County Jail. They were both charged with theft of property over $1,000 and offense of interception of radio frequency transmission to flee.

TNT Fire Chief Tandy Derreberry stated that Middleton "is being put on the suspended list until his court date, when more will be known."