KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Arrest Two Men and Recover Stolen Vehicle in Intertwined Incidents Connected to the Same Woman

	Kingsport Police Department 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com
NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT:		Kingsport Police Arrest Two Men and Recover Stolen Vehicle in Intertwined Incidents Connected to the Same Woman
DATE:		September 15, 2014

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On October 14, 2014 at approximately 11:30 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers were called to Walgreens, located at 1420 West Stone Drive in Kingsport, to investigate a suspicious person. Upon arrival the officers located the described individual who was identified as Anthony A. Kern. A warrant check on Mr. Kern yielded an outstanding Sullivan County arrest warrant for violation of probation.

A search of Mr. Kern incident to arrest turned up two pills in his pocket. Mr. Kern was issued a misdemeanor citation for Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription and released into the custody of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office on the outstanding warrant.

A female was with Mr. Kern at the time of this incident. After his arrest, the female called an individual, identified as Lance E. Stapleton, requesting a ride. When he received the call, Mr. Stapleton was on foot a couple of blocks away in the vicinity of the Roadrunner Market, located at 1600 West Stone Drive.

A customer had left his 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pickup running and unlocked while he went inside the Roadrunner Market. Not having transportation of his own, Mr. Stapleton stole the pickup and drove to Walgreens to pick up the female.

Meanwhile, the owner of the truck called 9-1-1 to report the motor vehicle theft. An alert was issued, notifying officers to be on the lookout for the stolen vehicle. The officers at Walgreens observed Mr. Stapleton arrive in the stolen truck which had just been described in the alert.

Mr. Stapleton was promptly arrested for Theft over $500 (of a motor vehicle) and transported to the Kingsport City Jail. While he was being searched in the jail, a small bag fell from his clothing to the floor. The bag contained a white rock substance believed to be the commonly abused synthetic street drug, “gravel.” This discovery resulted in Mr. Stapleton facing an additional charge of Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility.

The stolen vehicle was recovered and turned back over to its rightful owner. K.P.D. continues to stress the importance of never leaving a vehicle unlocked, especially with the keys in the ignition and the engine running.

SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name	Lance E. Stapleton
Age	Date of Birth 12/23/1985 28 Years of Age
Race/Gender	White/Male
Residency	132 Forest View Road Surgoinsville, TN
Charge(s)	Theft over $500 (of a Motor Vehicle) Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility

SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name	Anthony A. Kern
Age	Date of Birth 5/4/1985 29 Years of Age
Race/Gender	White/Male
Residency	277 California Avenue Church Hill, TN
Charge(s)	Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription Also Arrested on Outstanding Sullivan County Warrant for Violation of Probation