SUBJECT: Wise County, VA Man In Custody Following Crime Spree 

DATE:  November 6th, 2024 

CASE #: Multiple

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On November 5^th, 2024, at approximately 4:44 am, Kingsport Police responded to an SUV crashed into the front of Price Less Foods (4320 W. Stone Drive). Arriving officers located a 2014 gray Jeep Grand Cherokee which was driven through the front wall of the store. During their investigation, officers learned the Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen from the parking lot of the business. While investigating the stolen vehicle and crash, officers were dispatched to a gas line rupture at Scooter’s Coffee (105 Port Drive) which is located directly across from Price Less.  It was discovered the Jeep Cherokee in the crash was driven by a white male to the location where he damaged the gas line. Upon rupturing the gas line, the male then proceeded to fire a flare gun toward the leaking gas to catch the building on fire. Kingsport detectives were called to both scenes to investigate.

 

At approximately 7:27 am, officers were dispatched to the area of Watterson Street in reference to vandalism to a vehicle. Responding officers learned that a white male had broken the windows on a 2003 white Pontiac Grand Am, a 2003 white Buick Le Sabre, and a 2007 red Mercury Montego. Various items were taken from two of the three vehicles. While officers investigated the incident, a white male later identified as, Tristan Sexton, put purple paint on a Kingsport Police Car and wrote obscene messages on the car. Officers obtained a description of Sexton from witnesses, which also matched the description of the male who had burglarized the vehicles on Watterson Street.

 

At approximately 8:32 am, officers located Sexton near McDonald’s (4300 W. Stone Drive). As officers approached Sexton, he fled on foot. Sexton was apprehended after a foot chase and was detained. Officers observed purple paint on Sexton’s right hand and located property from the auto-burglaries on Watterson Street in his backpack. A marijuana grinder was also located on Sexton’s person.

 

After reviewing video from Scooter’s and Price Less Food’s, Kingsport detectives determined that Sexton was the same individual who stole the 2014 gray Jeep Grand Cherokee, attempted to set fire to Scooter’s, and drove the stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee into Priceless Foods. Sexton was arrested and booked into the Kingsport City Jail before being taken to the Hawkins County Jail. Sexton was charged with two counts of felony vandalism, attempted arson, motor vehicle theft, misdemeanor vandalism, evading arrest, two counts of auto-burglary, attempted auto burglary, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

This is still an active and ongoing investigation, and other charges are pending.

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Name: Tristan Sexton

Age: 24

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Residency: Wise, VA 

Charges: Felony vandalism x2, attempted arson, motor vehicle theft, misdemeanor vandalism, evading arrest, auto-burglary x2, attempted auto burglary, drug paraphernalia

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov