Suspects accused of stealing power tools from Knox County maintenance vehicles on July 30. (Courtesy: Knoxville Police Department)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department is asking for help in identifying suspects after power tools were taken from Knox County maintenance vehicles on Sunday.
The power tools were stolen from three maintenance vehicles parked at the Knox County Maintenance Yard on E. Fifth Avenue on July 30.
Suspects accused of stealing power tools from Knox County maintenance vehicles on July 30. (Courtesy: Knoxville Police Department)
Photos shared by Knoxville Police appear to show two men wearing dark shirts and shorts as well as slide-style sandals with socks.
Anyone who recognizes them is asked to contact the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at (865) 215-7165 or online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org.
Hamblen County, TN (WOKI) A Hamblen County student has been charged after allegedly threatening to “shoot up the school” on the first full-day of classes.
The Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office says a School Resource Officer was told that a student made the threats to acquaintances on Tuesday, August 2.
The investigator on the case said they went into action immediately, interviewing the student who said the threat had been made but “it was a joke.”
That student has been charged with Threatening Mass Violence at a School.
“The Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office and the Hamblen County Board of Education are adamant that all threats will be taken seriously,” Sheriff Chad Mullins stressed. “Parents need to let their students know threats are not jokes and anyone making any type of threat towards a school or another individual will be charged accordingly. We stand firm on this.”
A media release from the sheriff’s office did not state at which of the district’s 18 schools the threat was targeted.
Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen has convicted a gang member and previous convicted felon.
In September of 2021, police say Demetruice Bennett was waving a handgun toward women and children near the McConnell Street and Lee Williams Avenue intersection and fled the scene before they arrived.
Bennett was found two days later and was identified as a member of the Vice Lords criminal gang.
Bennett was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon, assault and evading arrest.
He was serving a 10-year sentence for a prior robbery and now faces 12 to 20 years. His sentencing hearing is set for September 21.
Four suspects arrested for narcotics trafficking (Courtesy: Monroe Police)
Monroe County, TN (WOKI) Four people are arrested Thursday in Monroe County on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Officials with the Sheriff’s Office say MCSO Narcotics and Criminal Investigative Division Detectives, with the help of Monroe County SWAT, searched a home on Southgate Road after receiving several tips about drug trafficking in the area.
After the search, deputies made four arrests and issued five felony charges and one misdemeanor charge in total.
The rocks along the trail are spray painted with symbols, the initials “D+F” and more. (Courtesy: GSMNP)
Gatlinburg, Tn (WOKI) “Graffiti is vandalism;” that’s the message from Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials who are asking for help finding a vandal who defaced rocks along Laurel Falls Trail last month.
U.S. Park Rangers investigated the vandalism report on July 24 and found a large section of rocks spray painted with words and symbols to include a smiley face, heart, the initials “D+F” and more.
The rocks along the trail are spray painted with symbols, the initials “D+F” and more (at left); Vandalism along Laurel Falls Trail (at right) (Courtesy: GSMNP)
In a Facebook post Thursday, August 3, park officials said the graffiti is vandalism and is extremely difficult to remove. Repairing vandalized sites is costly, time consuming, and often crews are unable to restore the site to it’s former condition, according to GSMNP.
“Defacing any part of the national park is illegal, damaging, and spoils the experience of other visitors. There are many rewarding ways to express yourself and mark your time at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, such as taking a spectacular photo or journaling,” GSMNP said.
Anyone with information about the incident or the people involved is asked to contact the Great Smoky Mountains Emergency Communication Center at 865-436-1230.
A man is arrested in Monroe County after a deputy sees him driving a car with no tires.
A MCSO deputy saw the car driving towards Madisonville, sending sparks everywhere including on to the deputy’s cruiser.
As the deputy tried to stop the car, parts of the car kept coming off hitting the cruiser.
The deputy says the driver admitted to drinking more than one bottle of whiskey.
Dylan Patterson is charged with DUI and other charges. Police say if you woke up to damage on or near your property in the Rocky Springs area you should give them a call.
A man is arrested and facing charges, including three counts of attempted first-degree murder kidnapping and assault, after he attempted to force his way into a home with a chainsaw before setting the home on fire.
The Hamblen County Sheriff’s says 42 year-old Brian Scott Walker tried to force his way into a home of a couple and their 13-year-old son who escaped through their basement.
Walker allegedly tried to enter the home by sawing through the front door with a chainsaw. then set the home on fire and waited outside with the chainsaw in his hand.
Walker’s bond was denied and he is awaiting trial.
Police called to the 2600 block of Copeland Street last night and found 22-year-old Joseph Norris who had been shot multiple times. Officers treated him at the scene until he was taken to the hospital where he died.
Police believe the suspect is 18-year-old Logan Norris and believe the shooting followed a domestic, physical altercation that started inside the home.
Logan Norris will be charged with second-degree murder upon his release from UTMC, where he was transported to be evaluated for injuries that were allegedly sustained in the altercation.
