KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. Attempting to Locate Stolen Church Van and Identify Suspect Responsible (Update)

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

As previously released:

On the evening of February 7, 2023 a van belonging to Holy Mountain Baptist Church, located at 3121 Ashley Street in Kingsport was reported stolen from the church property. The van had been left locked and the key had been securely stored.

A review of surveillance video footage revealed that the van was stolen earlier that same day between the hours 4:30 and 5:00 PM. A white male suspect could be observed using burglary tools to break into and steal the van.

The van is a light blue 1993 Dodge Full-size 15 passenger van. When it was stolen, it displayed TN license plate 461BGCH on the rear and a custom tag reading “Holy Mountain Baptist Church” on the front. Obviously those tags could have easily been removed and/or replaced following the theft.

Photos of the suspect and the stolen van have been included in this release. Anyone who might recognize the suspect, know where the stolen van can be located, or have any additional information that may help with the investigation, is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call 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:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton