GENERAL NARRATIVE |
On December 12, 2014 at approximately 11:45 AM, a plain-clothed Kingsport Police Detective was walking through the parking lot of Food City, located at 300 Clinchfield Street in Kingsport. He observed a white female, later identified as Kimberly B. Copas walking briskly from the store. Following her was an employee of Food City.
Ms. Copas walked directly up to the detective and asked him to borrow his phone, which he politely declined. Ms. Copas continued to walk away from the store. Sensing something was amiss, the detective identified himself as a law enforcement officer and asked the Food City employee if he needed to speak with Ms. Copas. He was informed that Ms. Copas had just pushed a shopping cart full of merchandise out of the store without paying for it. The detective immediately got in his vehicle and caught up with Ms. Copas near the intersection of Arch and Roller Streets. At the direction of the detective, Ms. Copas placed her hands on the hood of the vehicle, but began begging for him not to take her to jail. She then bolted from the vehicle and attempted to flee. The detective promptly caught her, but a brief struggle ensued. Ms. Copas was forced to the ground and handcuffed without further incident. The recovered shopping cart full of stolen merchandise contained assorted alcoholic beverages, some packages of meat, several pairs of reading glasses, and a collection of personal hygiene items. The total value of these items was approximately $675.00. Ms. Copas was arrested for Theft of Property (Shoplifting) over $500 and Resisting Arrest and transported to the Kingsport City Jail. |
SUSPECT INFORMATION | |
Name | Kimberly B. Copas |
Age | Date of Birth 3/18/1982
32 Years of Age |
Race/Gender | White/Female |
Residency | 1225 Willow Street
Kingsport, TN |
Charge(s) | 1) Theft of Property (Shoplifting) over $500
2) Resisting Arrest |
RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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