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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Shoplifter and Knife-Wielding Accomplice Assault Employees at Kingsport Target Store | ||
| DATE: | November 24, 2016 | ||
| CASE #: | 16-025514 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| On November 23, 2016 at approximately 6:30 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers were called to Target, located at 2626 East Stone Drive in Kingsport, to investigate a shoplifting incident that rapidly escalated to a felonious assault. The ensuing investigation revealed the following:
Target loss prevention officers observed a female suspect, later identified as Kansas Salyer Evans, tampering with theft deterrent security devices attached to merchandise in the electronics isle. They later observed her concealing merchandise in her purse, placing additional merchandise in a shopping cart, and attempting to leave the store without paying for any of it. When the loss prevention officers attempted to detain Ms. Evans at the exit, a struggle ensued, at which time she physically assaulted two Target employees. During this altercation, a second suspect approached the exit. This accomplice, later identified as Andrew C. Gragg, produced a knife and ordered the employees at knife-point to release Evans. In fear of getting stabbed, the loss prevention officers complied and released Ms. Evans. Both suspects walked to the far end of the parking lot and fled the scene in a gold sedan with a compact spare tire on the front driver’s side of the vehicle. A review of surveillance video footage and statements from multiple independent witnesses confirmed the employees’ account of the incident. Kingsport Police Patrol Officers soon located and conducted a traffic stop on the described vehicle on East Stone Drive near Pinebrook Drive. Both suspects were positively identified and taken into custody. At the time of her arrest, Ms. Evans was also in possession of several small white prescription pills. Mr. Gragg was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault. Ms. Evans was charged with Theft over $500 (Felony Shoplifting), two counts of Simple Assault, and Simple Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription. Both suspects were transported to the Kingsport City Jail. Mr. Gragg remains incarcerated in the Kingsport City Jail in lieu of a $4,000 bond as set by the presiding magistrate. Ms. Evans’ bond was set at $3,500, but she has since been transferred to the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville, TN. |
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| SUSPECT #1 INFORMATION | |
| Name | Andrew C. Gragg |
| Age | Date of Birth 9/1/1988
28 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/White |
| Residency | 1530 Independence Avenue
Mount Carmel, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Aggravated Assault (2 counts) |
| SUSPECT #2 INFORMATION | |
| Name | Kansas Salyer Evans |
| Age | Date of Birth 9/27/1982
34 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Female/White |
| Residency | 416 Rose Street
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Theft over $500 (Felony Shoplifting)
2) Simple Assault (2 counts) 3) Simple Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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