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Kingsport Police Department
Dale Phipps, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com |
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NEWS RELEASE | ||||
SUBJECT: | Juvenile Arrested After Burglarizing Multiple Unlocked Vehicles in Kingsport Subdivision | |||
DATE: | May 11, 2022 | |||
CASE #: | Multiple | |||
GENERAL NARRATIVE | ||||
Kingsport Police Detectives have charged and arrested a fourteen year old juvenile in connection with an investigation into the burglary of multiple unlocked vehicles in a Kingsport subdivision.
This investigation began after four incidents were reported to K.P.D. on May 7 and 8, 2022. Four unlocked vehicles had been unlawfully entered with property taken out of three of those vehicles. During an interview, the juvenile, whose identity cannot be released due to his minor age, confirmed what Detectives already suspected. None of the vehicles that he burglarized were forcibly entered. Every single one of them was unlocked. The suspect also lives within easy walking distance of where the crimes were committed. The suspect admitted to burglarizing at least twenty (20) vehicles in the greater Fair Acres area, yet only four of these alleged incidents have actually been reported to the police. Some of the reported stolen property has been recovered; however, additional property, believed to have also been stolen but not yet reported, has also been recovered. As such, Detectives are asking for anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of a recent auto burglary, and have not yet reported the incident to the police, to please do so immediately. During the investigation, the juvenile suspect was also implicated and charged in a late April motor vehicle theft that occurred in the same general neighborhood. That vehicle has since been recovered. At the time it was stolen, the vehicle had been left unlocked and the keys had been left inside it. Chief of Police Dale Phipps shared the following sentiments: “Make no mistake, the Kingsport Police Department is absolutely not in the business of blaming victims; however, it is incumbent upon all of us as law abiding citizens to make these types of crimes more difficult for criminals to commit. Taking some basic common sense security measures will significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. We know for a fact that these steps work, so it is our duty to encourage citizens to follow them.” The Kingsport Police Department has repeatedly stressed the following crime prevention strategies to help deter motor vehicle thefts and auto burglaries: PREVENT: Don’t be a victim. Prevent these types of crimes from happening to you. NEVER: Never leave your vehicle running while unattended. TAKE: Always take your vehicle’s keys or fob with you when you leave. LOCK: Remember to keep your vehicle’s doors locked at all times. REMOVE: Remove everything of value from your vehicle before you leave it. This matter remains under open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division with the possibility of additional charges to come. As such, no further information is available for release at this time. |
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SUSPECT INFORMATION | |
Name | Not Released Due to Minor Age |
Age | 14 Years of Age |
Gender/Race | Male/Mixed Race |
Residency | Kingsport, TN |
Charge(s) | 1) Motor Vehicle Theft over $10,000
2) Felony Evading Arrest 3) Felony Reckless Endangerment 4) Auto Burglary (3 counts) 5) Theft of Property under $1,000 (2 counts) 6) Theft of Property over $1,000 (1 count) 7) Criminal Trespassing |
RELEASING OFFICER | ||
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX) ThomasMPatton |