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SUBJECT: Kingsport PD Searching for Aggravated Robbery Suspects (UPDATE #1)
DATE: August 31, 2026
CASE #: 26-011663
GENERAL NARRATIVE
UPDATE:
William Burk has been arrested and is currently incarcerated in the Kingsport City Jail with a $15,000 bond. Justin Roberts has not yet been located.
AS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED:
This morning, at about 7:45 a.m., an off-duty Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputy witnessed two men attempting to rob another man near the traffic circle at Gibson Mill Road/East Ravine Road/Watauga Street. The Deputy saw that the two men attempting to rob the other man were armed, one with a large stick and the other with what appeared to be a metal pipe. The man they were attempting to rob was trying to defend himself with two pocketknives. The Deputy intervened, stopping the situation from escalating before any of the three men were injured. The two men attempting to rob the other man ran away from the off-duty Deputy; they were later identified as thirty-five (35) year-old Justin Roberts and twenty-six (26) year-old William Burk.
Kingsport Police Department responded and took over the investigation. Warrants charging Justin Roberts and William Burk each with one (1) count of Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402) have been obtained and entered into the National Crime Information Center (N.C.I.C.)
The Kingsport Police Department thanks the off-duty Sullivan County Deputy who intervened before the situation deteriorated to the point where someone was hurt. We value our strong relationship with partner agencies.
Justin Roberts and William Burk should be considered dangerous; if observed, please call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not attempt to stop, engage, or otherwise approach either of these individuals.
If you have information on Justin or William’s whereabouts, contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.
To report tips anonymously, use the online ‘Citizen Feedback’ form at: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us
SUSPECT INFORMATION
AT LARGE:
Name: Justin Roberts
Age: 35
Gender/Race: Male/White
Hair/Eyes: Brown/Brown
Height/Weight: 5’08″/130lbs
Charges:
- One (1) count: Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402)
IN CUSTODY:
Name: William Burk
Age: 26
Gender/Race: Male/White
Hair/Eyes: Brown/Blue
Height/Weight: 6’00″/181lbs
Charges:
- One (1) count: Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402)
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
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SUBJECT: Kingsport PD Searching for Aggravated Robbery Suspects
DATE: August 27, 2026
CASE #: 26-011663
GENERAL NARRATIVE
This morning, at about 7:45 a.m., an off-duty Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputy witnessed two men attempting to rob another man near the traffic circle at Gibson Mill Road/East Ravine Road/Watauga Street. The Deputy saw that the two men attempting to rob the other man were armed, one with a large stick and the other with what appeared to be a metal pipe. The man they were attempting to rob was trying to defend himself with two pocketknives. The Deputy intervened, stopping the situation from escalating before any of the three men were injured. The two men attempting to rob the other man ran away from the off-duty Deputy; they were later identified as thirty-five (35) year-old Justin Roberts and twenty-six (26) year-old William Burk.
Kingsport Police Department responded and took over the investigation. Warrants charging Justin Roberts and William Burk each with one (1) count of Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402) have been obtained and entered into the National Crime Information Center (N.C.I.C.)
The Kingsport Police Department thanks the off-duty Sullivan County Deputy who intervened before the situation deteriorated to the point where someone was hurt. We value our strong relationship with partner agencies.
Justin Roberts and William Burk should be considered dangerous; if observed, please call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not attempt to stop, engage, or otherwise approach either of these individuals.
If you have information on Justin or William’s whereabouts, contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.
To report tips anonymously, use the online ‘Citizen Feedback’ form at: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name: Justin Roberts
Age: 35
Gender/Race: Male/White
Hair/Eyes: Brown/Brown
Height/Weight: 5’08″/130lbs
Charges:
- One (1) count: Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402)
Name: William Burk
Age: 26
Gender/Race: Male/White
Hair/Eyes: Brown/Blue
Height/Weight: 6’00″/181lbs
Charges:
- One (1) count: Aggravated Robbery (T.C.A. 39-13-402)
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
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SUBJECT: KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile (UPDATE: FOUND SAFE)
DATE: August 25, 2026
CASE #: 26-002839
GENERAL NARRATIVE
UPDATE:
Rylan Bledsoe was located and found safe. The Kingsport Police Department extends its thanks to the public for their assistance in locating him.
AS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED:
The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 14-year-old Rylan Bledsoe, who is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on Dunbar Street. Rylan is about 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has tattoos (as described below) on his neck and left hand, and a scar under his left eye. Rylan has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway juvenile.
If you have information that may help locate Rylan, please contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.
Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us
MISSING PERSON INFORMATION
Name – Rylan Bledsoe
Age – 14
Gender/Race – Male/White
Hair/Eyes – Brown/Blue
Height/Weight – 6’00″/200lbs
Residency – Kingsport, TN
Other Details – Tattoo – Neck (Left Side): Three crosses and “300” in red. Tattoo – Neck (Right Side): “Kamora.” Tattoo – Left Hand: “Fear None” with a red broken heart. Scar under his left eye.
Last Known Location – Dunbar Street, Kingsport, TN
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749