Police Briefs: Harrison slaying suspect returned

Saturday, February 25, 2012

photo Joshua Sterling Stoltz was arrested today in Valdosta, Ga., in connection with the death of a Harrison man. The body of David L. Murray, 46, was discovered Tuesday at 6422 Ware Branch Drive. At the time of the arrest, Joshua Sterling Stoltz, 19, was driving a 2005 red Ford truck that belonged to the victim, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Stoltz was taken into custody on unrelated charges in Lowndes County, Ga., and is awaiting extradition to Tennessee where he faces charges of criminal homicide and theft over $10,000.

Harrison slaying suspect returned

A Chattanooga man accused of killing a Harrison man with whom he was staying has been extradited from Valdosta, Ga., and now faces charges of criminal homicide and theft, according to an arrest report.

Joshua Stoltz, 20, is accused of beating and stabbing 46-year-old David L. Murray to death on Dec. 5. He remains at the Hamilton County Jail on an $800,000 bond after he was transferred to town on Thursday.

Murray was found lying in a pool of blood inside a residence at 6422 Ware Branch Cove Drive in Harrison after his sister called Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies, saying she had not heard from him in days.

According to the medical examiner's report, he was stabbed as many as 10 times, mainly to the face area.

Stoltz, who frequently stayed with Murray, told someone, "he had killed his boss," according to the arrest report. Later, Stoltz was found driving Murray's 2005 Ford truck in Georgia and he was arrested on felony theft charges.

Stoltz's next court date is scheduled for March 5 before Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge David Bales.

Fire at Hawker Power Source

Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire that's still being investigated at Hawker Power Source, 9308 Ooltewah Industrial Drive, in the Collegedale area Friday evening.

A motorist reported a roof fire at about 6:40 p.m. When crews arrived a few minutes later, heavy smoke was pouring out of the roof line of the business, the news release said.

According to the news release, fire officials reported the fire started on the roofline of the commercial business. Damages are unknown. All employees from the Hawker Power Source evacuated the building safely with no injuries reported.

Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department and Catoosa County Fire Department responded when Tri-Community requested additional units to cover their district.

Hawker Power Source provides lead acid batteries internationally for a variety of technological uses. Its local plant is in Ooltewah.