City official charged with theft resigns

Former Chattanooga Councilman Erskine Oglesby, who was placed on administrative leave by Mayor Tim Kelly pending an investigation after he was arrested and charged with theft from two supermarkets, resigned on Friday.

Oglesby told the Chattanooga Times Free Press he had no comment “at this time.”

Oglesby served on the council representing District 7 from 2017 to 2021. Last year he was selected by Kelly to be the deputy administrator for community development.

“I can confirm that Erskine Oglesby’s resignation has been accepted,” Ellis Smith, the director of special operations for the mayor’s office, said by email.

Oglesby was put on paid administrative leave after his arrest on Apr. 19. Oglesby’s annual salary is $93,465.

Oglesby, 67, was arrested by Chattanooga Police after he was accused by Walmart and Food City of not paying for several items while going through the self-checkout aisle.

Oglesby is charged with theft under $1,000 and three counts of theft of property, according to the Hamilton County Criminal Court records.

One affidavit said “there are 22 incidents from Food City totaling approximately $347.11 in miscellaneous consumable goods,” adding that “Oglesby passed all points of sale without paying during each individual incident.”

Food City management told police the incidents date back to December 2021.

According to Walmart, Oglesby “selected two packs of steaks, scanned one and placed both packages in the bag” on a Feb. 11 incident at the Walmart on Cummings Highway, according to court papers. The store told police Oglesby returned on Mar. 5 and again “left with an unpurchased steak.”

Oglesby turned himself in on April 27, on the additional charges from Food City and was released on his own recognizance. He is expected to appear before Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh on June 21.