Authorities, Cain involved in standoff
Authorities found themselves involved in a stand off Tuesday with a man that local officers know all too well.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said Stephen Jeffery Cain, 49, of 3642 Franklin 20, Spruce Pine, was inside his residence when authorities arrived to execute a federal search warrant.
Plott said Cain was reportedly in possession of firearms, which is against the law for those who have a prior felony charge against them.
Reports indicate that Cain pleaded guilty to third-degree robbery in connection with the Nov. 28, 2007, robbery of Elgin Pharmacy in Lauderdale County in 2008 but failed to attend a court sentencing.
The Franklin County Special Response Team (SRT), which includes investigators with the Russellville and Red Bay police departments, the district attorney’s office and the Franklin County sheriff’s office, were called to the scene after Cain refused to let law enforcement officials inside, authorities said.
Investigators said once the SRT team was able to reach Cain, a pistol was found inside the residence and another one was found out in the yard.
“Surveillance of the residence began early Tuesday morning,” Plott said.
“The suspect didn’t come out of the residence until after noon. The suspect could be facing other federal charges.”
The situation is still under investigation.
Cain was out of jail on bond after being indicted by a recent grand jury on unrelated charges.
He was indicted by a March grand jury and charged with attempted murder after allegedly firing gunshots at Russellville and Phil Campbell police officers on separate occasions last year.
He was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of attempted burglary, two counts of second-degree receiving stolen property, second-degree theft of property, attempted possession and receiving of a controlled substance and first-degree criminal mischief.
Cain is accused of breaking into a Phil Campbell pharmacy on Sept. 11 and firing as many as nine shots at a Phil Campbell police officer that responded to a break-in call at Phil Campbell Drugs.
Investigators said that as the officer approached the entrance of the pharmacy, he heard noises from inside and retreated towards his patrol car to call for help.
As he did so, investigators said that Cain began firing at him. Two rounds hit the officer’s car. Cain escaped through the backdoor and into some nearby woods, leaving behind a trail of evidence, officials said.
Less than three weeks later, Cain was involved in a separate incident with Russellville officers.
The police were called to a suspicious person’s report at Hometown Pharmacy on Gandy Street in Russellville in the early morning hours of Sept. 30.
When officers responded, they found Cain and a female companion walking down the street in front of Concord Baptist Church. Cain fled on foot and fired a shot at the officers as he ran away.
Once he got behind the church, Cain was met by Russellville Officer Jake Tompkins, who fired one shot, striking Cain in the chest.
He is now in the custody of U.S. marshals and is being held in a federal facility in Huntsville without bail.
A detention hearing is set for Friday morning.
