Roy R. Herron

   A Sevierville man is in police custody following the burglary of a local residence in which he is alleged to have taken more than $6,000 in personal belongings from the home owners including an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle and a handgun. The man was captured Monday evening at 10:30 p.m. by police at the Krystal restaurant with a stolen handgun in his possession. 

   According to reports, Roy R. Herron, 24, allegedly broke into a home on Apple Valley Road in Sevierville where the items were stolen. A neighbor noted what he described as suspicious activity and notified police. Sevierville Police Department officer Mike Williams (No relation to SCN reporter MIke Williams) responded to the call and spoke with a man who told Williams someone was inside his home. A neighbor told Williams that a man came to his door and asked to use a phone because his vehicle had broken down.

  Williams determined the man had fled the scene. An immediate search of the area was conducted by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office, the Sevierville Police Department and the Pigeon Forge Police Department who used a K-9 to begin tracking down the suspect.

  Officers discovered several of the items taken from the home in the immediate area and soon determined the call placed by the suspect was made to a local Motel 6 in Pigeon Forge.

  Officers went to the Motel and spoke with an acquaintence of Herron who indicated he might be at the Krystal restaurant.  When officers arrived at the Krystal, Herron attempted to flee but was apprehended by police. The handgun was found nearby and the AR-15 was found at the Wonder Works.     

  “Our officers and detectives, especially Officer Williams and Lt. Ayers, did an exceptional job from beginning to end on this incident,” said SPD Chief Don Myers.

   Myers also noted the assistance received from the SCSO at the burglary scene, and went on to say that “the PFPD response was crucial in the apprehension of the suspect. Their officers should be commended. And let’s not forget that without the initial call from the observant citizen, the suspect certainly would not have been found so quickly. Community support and involvement is an important component in the prevention of crime and the apprehension of suspects. The SPD extends their thanks to the observant citizen who noticed the suspicious activity and contacted the department. This allowed officers to respond while the crime was in progress."

   Herron has been charged with burglary . Additional charges are pending and the incident remains under investigation. 

Sevierville Police Department (SPD) officers and K9 Axel apprehended a Sevier County man yesterday, March 15, 2011 at about 12:16PM. According to SPD Officer Stephanie Quigley, a citizen called SPD dispatch and reported that 22-year old Colin P. Bartlett (booking photo attached) of Sevier County was in the area of 108 Winfield Dunn Parkway (Highway 66). Mr. Bartlett had three outstanding warrants from Sevier County (two for aggravated burglary, one for violation of probation).

As officers approached Mr. Bartlett, he fled behind a business and into the Little Pigeon River. SPD K9 Officer David Finchum released K9 Axel, who apprehended Mr. Bartlett. There were no injuries.

In addition to the three outstanding warrants, Mr. Bartlett was charged with resisting stop, frisk and halt, and criminal impersonation; he was transported to the Sevier County Jail and booked. 

All persons are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

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Sevierville Police stopped a Knoxville man Tuesday because of traffic violation and found crack cocaine, marijuana, and thousands in cash.

Corey Armstrong, 31, Knoxville, has been charged with the sale and delivery of crack cocaine, marijuana and a vehicle equipment violation by the Sevier County Police Department.

According to Sevierville Information Officer Bob Stahlke, SPD Officer Brandon Perry stopped Armstrong's 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe when he noticed the vehicle's reverse lights were malfunctioning and remaining on while the truck was rolling forward.

The stop led Officer Perry to discover 102 grams of crack cocaine, 9 grams of marijuana and $3,320 in cash.

Armstrong is currently booked in the Sevier County jail. 

The Sevier County Sheriff's Office has charged a Seymour man in connection with the burglaries of two rental cabins in Sevierville after he allegedly ran out the back door of a cabin as guests were checking in.

Reginald A. Pate, Seymour, has been charged with Aggravated Burglary by Sheriff's Deputies.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, Saturday, March 5, around 7 p.m. guests checked into a cabin on Jed Trail off of Rainbow Road. Upon opening the door, guests witnessed a man run out the back door of the cabin.

A description of the suspect, it is not clear at this time if Pate was the man seen running from the scene, and a of the vehicle used to escape was given to deputies.

A short time later a deputies responded to another burglary call on Upper Middle Creek Road at Starcrest Cabin Resort where a maintenance man had encountered another man matching the first suspect's description.

While deputies were unable to track the suspect using a K-9 unit, Sevier Police stopped a car matching witness reports a short time later and arrested Pate as a suspect, later charging him with two counts of burglary after recovering a stolen television set.

Officials say that another suspect is still being sought and more charges are a possibility for Pate. They ask that anyone with details contact detective Johnny Bohanan at 428-1899.

The Sevier County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a 14-year-old Northview Middle School student for bringing a handgun to school this morning.

The eight-grader, who’s name has been with-held because he is a minor, was stopped by the school’s Sheriff’s Office Resource Officer stationed there after being alerted the student might have been carrying a weapon. According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, the officer found a 9 mm semi-automatic hand gun in the student’s backpack inside a school locker and a small amount of marijuana.

While the weapon was not loaded, Seals said the weapon’s ammunition magazine was loaded and in the same bag.

“The quick action of school and law enforcement personnel was instrumental in maintaining the safety and security of the students and school staff,” said Seals.

The juvenile was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, and marijuana possession. Officials are not sure what the juvenile’s motivation for bringing the weapon to school was at this time.

Currently being held in the county’s Juvenile Facility, the 14-year-old is awaiting a hearing. 

 Sevierville Police say a man wanted in connection with a hotel robbery in February has been arrest in Georgia.

United States Marshal's Service deputies arrested Larrick Degree, 38, of Athens, Tennessee with the February 13, 2011 robbery of the Clarion Inn Hotel in Sevierville.

Sevierville Police detective Tim Coulter has charged Degree with the robbery.

According to Coulter, Degree's arrest came about because of information received from public information tips. Coulter used increased media coverage to generate public interest according to information from the SPD.

U.S. Marshal's deputies from the Knoxville's Smoky Mountains Task Force worked in conjunction deputies in George to arrest Degree without incident in Calhoun, Georgia yesterday.

A photo of Degree is not yet available. 

Updated: 9:40 a.m.

Sevierville Police say John D. Nelson, the alleged driver involved in yesterday's high speed pursuit, has been charged with speeding, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, habitual motor vehicle offence, failing to wear a seatbelt and failure to have insurance. 

The Sevier County Sheriff's Office assited in the in the chase, that ended in Jefferson County.

A car chase with speeds up to 95 mph has just concluded. The drama started near Gist Creek Road on Hwy 66 with the fugitive turning onto Cattlesburg Road and after a turn through a parking lot back onto Hwy 66 North toward the interstate. The subject continued with pursuit by Sevierville Police Department and the Sevier County Sheriff's Department and turned onto Douglas Dam Road toward the Douglas Dam. The chase concluded in the area of Sockless Road near the boundary of Sevier and Jefferson County. Jefferson County Sheriff's Department was alerted and it is unclear if they were involved in the stop. The fugitive was throwing items out of the car during the chase. The car was a late model blue mercuy from Blount County.

Update when available. 

Map below shows area where chase concluded.

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Berry

A Sevier County man is in jail for the alleged burglary of a Creekside Drive home after neighbors' help led detectives to a suspect.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, Justin Berry, 24, of Sevierville, has been charged with aggravated burglary. Berry also has an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

“On February,10, 2011 a homeowner on Creekside Drive reported that his door had been forced open and several items were taken from his home while he was gone,” said Seals.

Detectives from the Sheriff's Office responded by interviewing the victims neighbors. After getting a clear description of a suspect and vehicle seen at the home near the time of the burglary, detectives arrested the Berry.

Berry is being held in the Sevier County Jail awaiting a March 21 hearing date.

“The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected,” said Seals.

The SCSO is asking for anyone with information to contact Detective James Breeden at 428-1899.  

Vaughn                                        James

A secret tracking device on a television stolen Tuesday from a Pigeon Forge rental cabin led Sevier County Sheriff's officers to the alleged thieves when they returned to sell a second stolen TV.

Matthew Vaughn, 24, of Kodak, and Justin L. James, 19, of Sevierville, have both been charged with two counts aggravated burglary by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office for their alleged involvement in the theft of two flat screen televisions from cabins in the Hidden Mountain Resort.

Sevier county Sheriff Ron Seals said that detectives investigating a Tuesday burglary at Hidden Mountain Resort in Pigeon Forge discovered a GPS tracking system was inside a television stolen from one of the rental cabins on the property. Following the devices signal, detectives tracked the television to a home on Thorngrove Pike in Jefferson County.

It was determined by detectives that Vaughn and an unidentified male, who would later be identified as 19-year-old James, sold the TV to the home's occupants, Tuesday afternoon.

Wednesday, detectives were alerted that Vaughn and James were returning to the Jefferson County residence to sell a second television to the occupants. Detectives intercepted the pair at the Jefferson county residence and determined that second TV was also stolen from the Hidden Mountain Resort.

Vaughn and James will have their preliminary hearing March 16 in Sevier County General Sessions Court.

Anyone with information on the two suspects is asked to contact Sevier County Sheriff's detective Jim Huddleston.  

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Two juveniles are in the custody of the Sevier County Sheriff's Office being pulled over driving the truck they allegedly stole from an outdoor attraction.

The pair of 14-year-olds, who's names have been withheld by the Sheriff's Office, allegedly stole a 1998 Ford truck from the parking lot of Smokey Mountain Ziplines on Mill Creek Road on the evening of February 11.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, Pigeon Forge Police stopped a truck matching the stolen vehicle's description Wednesday on Wears Valley Road, which caused two of the three passengers to flee the vehicle on foot. After a short foot chase, officers apprehended the two without incident.

Pigeon Forge Police officers contacted Sevier County Sheriff's Office detectives after determining the vehicle was the same truck reported Friday night.

The Sheriff's Office has charged both juveniles who fled the stolen vehicle each with a count of theft over $10,000, and the PFPD has charged the teenagers with additional charges for fleeing from an officer.

The third passenger in the stolen truck was determined to not have been involved with the theft of the vehicle, and was released without charges.

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Four more have been arrested in conjunction with last month’s sealed indictment that handed down a presentment for dozens of drug traffickers in Sevier County.

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Sevierville Police are looking for a suspect in connection with a Sunday night hotel robbery

Officials say the Clarion Inn at 1990 Winfield Dunn Parkway was robbed at 2:30 a.m., Sunday by an unidentified man that fled into the early morning.

“A hotel employee said that a man approached her, proceeded behind the service counter and demanded money,” SPD Officer Adam Akers said in a police report.

“The suspect then left the hotel through the front door with an undisclosed amount of money.”

The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 5'6”- 5'10” in height and weighing 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact SPD Detective Tim Coulter at 865-453-5507.  

Barbara Riley, 19, Kodak, was charged with assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. She was released on $5,000 bond.

David Victor Berrios, 27, Sevierville, was charged with DUI by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was released on $2,500 bond.

Michael Lee Braswell, 38, Gatlinburg, was charged with identify theft and forgery by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. His bond had not been set.

Ricahrd T Chesson, 58, Oxford Alabama, was charged with DUI by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was released on $3,000 bond.

Kimberly Denise Hoyles, 41, Pigeon Forge, was charged with public intoxication by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. She was released on $250 bond.

Richy Allen Huffaker, 43, Kodak, was charged with driving on a suspended license by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. He was released on $500 bond.

Matthew Steven Justus, 33, Sevierville, was charged with public intoxication by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. He was being held on $500 bond.

Aaron Ray Nelson, 26, Pigeon Forge, was charged with violation of probation and shoplifting by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. His bond had not been set.

Danny Jack Pemberton, 35, Sevierville, was charged with theft and public intoxication by the Sevierville Police Department. His bond had not been set.

Eric Henry Schoenholz, 50, Dandridge, was charged with seven counts of writing worthless checks by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $1,500 bond.

Stephanie Lynn Bates, 23, Gardendale, Alabama, was charged with theft of property over $1,000 and two general sessions court misdemeanors by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department.

Victor David Berrios, 47, Sevierville, was charged with DUI by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was being held on $5,000 bond.

Richard T Chesson, 58, Oxford, Alabama, was charged with DUI by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was being held on $3,000 bond.

Christoper Lee Hall, 18, Sevierville was charged with vandalism by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. He was being held on $1,500 bond.

Kimberly Denise Hoyles, 41, Pigeon Forge, was charged with public intoxication by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office.

Bryan Ogle II

 SPD Charges Suspect in Gas Station Robbery

The Sevierville Police Department charged Bryan Ogle II, 24, with aggravated robbery in connection with a January 12 gas station robbery.

According to SPD detective Kevin Bush, officers responded to an armed robbery report at the Exxon Zoomer's at 3423 Winfield Dunn Parkway in Sevierville where Ogle allegedly took money from the cash register and fled into the night.

After an investigation, SPD detectives arrasted and charged Ogle with aggravated robbery Monday.  

Five juveniles, aged 11 to 14, have been charged with aggravated burglary and vandalism by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office.

Law enforcement officials say the juveniles, who's names have been withheld by the Sheriff's Office, allegedly spray painted and bashed in the windows of several vehicles on the property of a Dew Drop Lane home, before entering the unoccupied residence and taking “several items of value” January, 16, 2011.

Detectives' investigation over the last few weeks led to the arrests of the five juvenile suspects, and the recovery of some of the stolen items.

The five have been charted in the Sevier County Juvenile Court and are awaiting a hearing date. 

 Alejandro Gomes, 23, Pigeon Forge, was charged with DUI and driving without a license by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was being held in $2,500 bond.

Brittany Amber Harris, 23, Sevierville, was charged with domestic assault by the Sevierville Police Department. She was being held on $2,000 bond.

Gurvis Ricky Jewel, 48, Barton, Florida, was charged with crime simulation and public intoxication by the Sevierville Police Department. He was being held on $7,000 bond.

Derek Lynn King, 31, Sevierville, was charged with burglary and theft of property over $1,000 by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. He was being held on $10,000 bond.

Jonathan Leroy Love, 48, Sevierville, was charged with DUI, violation of the implied consent and open containers law. He was released on $2,500 bail.

Brandon Keith Luttrell, 27, Sevierville, was charged with burglary and theft of property over $1,000 by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was being held on $7,500 bond.

Seth Aaron Smith, 21, New Market, TN, was charged with a felony, misdemeanor and theft of property by general sessions court. His bond had not been set.

Kathryn Stooksbury, 45, Seymour, was charged with burglary and crime simulation. She was released on $4,500 bond.

Alexis Velaquez, 28, Sevierville was charged with driving on a suspended license by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. She was released on $500 bond.

 Kenneth Ray Burnette, 39, Sevierville, was charged with assault by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $1,000 bail.

Courtney Brooke Cissell, 18, New Haven, Kentucky, was charged with general theft by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. She was released on $2,500 bail.

Jessica Brooke Dempsey, 29, Seymour, was charged with driving on a suspended license by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department.

Alejandro Gomez, 23, Pigeon Forge, was charged with DUI and driving without a license by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. His bond had not been set.

Allanson William Hoyt, 19, was charged with aggravated burglary by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was being held on $15,000 bond.

Amber Leeann Lauderdale, 26, Sevierville, was charged with general theft by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. She was released on $3,500 bond.

Bryan Lee Ogle, 24, Sevierville, was charged with robbery by the Sevierville Police Department. He was being held on $25,000 bond.

Sandra Kay Ownby, 54, Sevierville, was charged with public intoxication by the Sevier county Sheriff's Department. She was released on $250 bail.

Charles Shane Reagan, 20, was charged with vandalism by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $2,000 bond.

Isai Jaziehl Rodriguez, 20, Sevierville, was charged with DUI, driving with a license, and violation of the financial responsibility law.

Colin Neil Smith, 32, Sevierville, was charged with a second DUI by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. Her bond had not been set.

Justin Kyle Sutton, 25, Sevierville, was charged with DUI by the Sevierville Police Department. He was released on $1,500 bond.

Robert Brian Watson, 31, Maryville, was charged with aggravated burglary by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $40,000 bond.

Shawn Michael Wisell, 38, Sevierville, was charged with domestic assault by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $1,000 bond.  

Allanson W. Hoyt

Updated: 11:43

UPDATE: 12:46 p.m.

A second victim has been identified by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department concerning Thursday night's shooting. 

Brandon Paul Lindsey, 21, 3131 Forge Hideaway, Pigeon Forge has been identified as the second man found dead after gun shots were reported at an apartment complex on Newport Highway. 

Lindsey and Breitweiser's, who was identified first after he died at UT Hospital from his wounds, bodies have both been transported to the University of Tennessee Forensics Center for autopsy.

No arrests have been made at this time. 

UPDATE:12:05 p.m.

Two men are dead after a shooting at an apartment complex on Newport Highway.

Sevier County Sheriff's officers responded yesterday to an emergency call of shots fired around 8:30 p.m. in the area of the Murell Meadows Apartments off Newport Highway.

Before arriving at the scene of the original report, a second emergency call was received about another shooting victim in a car at the Walgreen's Pharmacy near the apartments.

EMS responders found Brandon J. Breitweiser, 1111 Eight Point Way, Sevierville, sitting wounded in a vehicle in the store's parking lot. Breitweiser was flown to UT Hosptil where he died from the gun shot wounds.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, an unidentified man was found shot to death in the back yard of the Newport Highway apartment complex.

The Sheriff's Office, TBI, and Fourth Judicial Attorney's Office responded to the scene with investigators that are still currently interviewing witnesses.

Seals said the investigation is on going, and no arrests have been made at this time.  

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Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals says two are dead after a shooting last night.

Officers responded to reports of gun shots at Murrel Meadows apartment around 8:30 last night.  

They found Brandon J. Breitweiser, of 1111 Eight Point Way, Sevierville, with severe gunshot wounds and another unidentified who was already dead. 

Breitweiser died from his wounds at UT Hospital.

More to come throughout the day.