Alleged burglar who surprised homeowner said she wanted to sleep in his bed

A woman who surprised a man in his home on Thursday morning reportedly told him that she wanted to sleep in his bed, but police believe she was there to steal. Michael Smith was in his home on Devils Nose Road just north of Rogersville, Tennessee, at around 8:30am when a woman, later identified as Savonna Mae Collier, 34, from Blountville, allegedly entered his residence.

Collier was later arrested after allegedly attempting to flee the residence in Smith’s $20,000 UTV. She was prevented from escaping in the UTV when Smith’s wife arrived home from driving a school bus route and blocked the road with her bus. Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office Detective Marc Bass said Collier appeared to be living out of her car, which she parked in a neighbour’s driveway before entering the Smith residence.



Bass said that Collier appeared to be under the influence of meth and was looking for something to steal in order to purchase more drugs. When Smith found Collier in his home, she reportedly told Smith, “She wanted to sleep in his bed,” Bass said. “Mr. Smith stated he didn’t know her and told her to leave,” Bass added. “(Collier) then pushed Mr. Smith and fled the residence. She ran outside and stole Mr. Smith’s Can Am UTV, and fled in the vehicle. Mr. Smith gathered himself and went after the female.

“The UTV had stopped in the middle of the road due to Mrs. Smith returning home from driving a school bus and seeing her UTV coming at her with an unknown person driving it.” A short time later, the HCSO arrived and arrested Collier who was charged with aggravated burglary, theft over $10,000 and vandalism. The vandalism charge stemmed from damaged caused to the UTV when Collier allegedly jammed a object into the ignition to start it. Collier is being held in the Hawkins County Jail with no bond pending arraignment in Sessions Court on Monday.