Man indicted for shootouts
By Staff
Jonathan Willis
A Franklin County grand jury has upheld attempted murder charges against a man accused of shooting at Phil Campbell and Russellville police officers in separate incidents last fall.
Steve Jeffrey Cain, 49, of 3642 Franklin 20, Spruce Pine, has been 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, Regina Cansler, 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.
Cansler, 39, of 3642 Franklin 20, Spruce Pine, was charged with second-degree attempted burglary, second-degree receiving stolen property, possession of burglar’s tools, possession and receiving of a controlled substance and carrying a pistol without a permit.
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.
