On December 19, 2014 at approximately 8:30 AM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to J and J Auto Sales, located at 3001 North John B. Dennis Highway in Kingsport in reference to the theft of multiple motor vehicles. The initial investigation revealed that unknown suspect(s) had cut open a section of chain-link fencing that enclosed the property and had stolen five vehicles listed as follows:
1) 2014 gray Jeep Compass ($38,000 value)
2) 2004 silver Chevrolet Impala ($4,800 value)
3) 2003 black Honda Civic ($4,300 value)
4) 2002 silver Honda Accord ($3,000 value)
5) 1998 brown Chevrolet Blazer ($3,000 value)
Detectives from the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division responded and began an extensive investigation including, but not limited to, a review of surveillance video from area businesses. Surveillance video showed that two white male suspects, who arrived at approximately 3:15 AM in a light colored Honda and a dark colored Honda (separate from the five aforementioned stolen vehicles), cut the fence and made three separate trips to and from the business to steal the five vehicles. The keys had been left inside the vehicles.
At approximately 11:00 AM, their investigation led them to Stratford Apartments, located at 1433 Stratford Road, where two of the stolen vehicles were recovered, and the nearby Miller Village Apartments, located at 3838 Eastline Drive, where the other three stolen vehicles were recovered. Detectives located the light colored Honda suspect vehicle parked next to one of the stolen vehicles at Miller Village Apartments. They observed burglary tools (a pair of bolt cutters and a screwdriver) as well as multiple sets of car keys in plain view inside the suspect vehicle.
Further investigation led them to the dark colored Honda suspect vehicle, which was parked behind Apostolic Lighthouse Church, located at 145 Shipp Springs Road. This vehicle, a 1993 Honda Accord ($1,000 value) had been reported stolen from a residence at 2009 Greenway Street in a separate incident on December 8, 2014.
Detectives were able to develop Michael Shane Myers and Daniel A. Smith as the two suspects in question in this incident. On December 22, 2014 warrants were obtained charging each of these individuals with multiple felonies including Theft over $10,000 (1 count), Theft over $1,000 (5 counts), and Vandalism over $500 (1 count).
K.P.D. is requesting assistance from the public in locating Mr. Myers and Mr. Smith. Anyone who knows their whereabouts or who may have any additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.
Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:
http://police.KingsportTN.gov/Citizen_Feedback |