JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 09/04/20, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested sixty one year old Lester Butz (741 Well St, Elizabeththon, TN) and charged him with theft of property over $2,500.

The arrest stems from a theft investigation from 3212 Hanover Rd that occurred on 08/16/20. Butz is accused of stealing two HVAC units that were located behind the business.

Lester Butz was arrested and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Washington County General Sessions Court on 09/08/20 at 9:30 a.m.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

     On 9/4/20, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Brittney L. Hamm (1011 E Myrtle Ave, Johnson City, TN, 31 years old) and charged her with Evading Arrest, Reckless Driving, Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun, Driving on Revoked License (multiple), and Financial Responsibility.

At approximately 11:54 a.m. on 09/04/20, Officers attempted to complete a traffic stop on a vehicle, but it recklessly fled from officers.  The vehicle was then later located abandoned.  Officers quickly located and identified the driver as Brittney Hamm.  A purse was located nearby that belonged to Ms. Hamm.  Inside the purse was a firearm.

Ms. Hamm was taken into custody.  After being questioned by officers it was revealed that Ms. Hamm is a convicted felon.  She was then transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where she being held in lieu of a $15,000 bond.  Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on 9/7/20 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 9/5/20, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Valerie R. Hicks (47 years old, 1319 Bell Ridge Rd.) on the charge of Aggravated Assault.

At 12:15 a.m., officers responded to 1319 Bell Ridge Road in reference to a disturbance.   Upon arrival, officers observed Hicks threatening the victim with a baseball bat.  The investigation revealed Hicks to be the primary aggressor during the disturbance.  

Hicks was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where she is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.  Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on 9/8/20 in Washington County Sessions Court.   

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 09/04/2020 officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested 31 year old Marc A. Engle, 1900 American Way, Kingsport, Tennessee, and charged him with Felony Evading Arrest, Driving on a Revoked License, and Improper Display of Registration.

On 08/30/2020 a green Ford Ranger was observed on Bobby Hicks Highway with a license plate that did not belong on it.  A traffic stop was attempted on the vehicle but the vehicle failed to stop and actively evaded the officer at a high rate of speed.  Due to the recklessness of the driver, the pursuit was terminated by officers.  On 09/04/2020, the Ford Ranger was located in Kingsport at Americourt Hotel and found to be in possession of Marc Engle.  At that time Engle admitted to evading officers.  Mr. Engle was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is currently being held in lieu of an $11,000 bond.  His arraignment is set for 09/08/2020, at 1:30 p.m., in Washington County General Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 09/05/2020, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Kasey Sies (2825 Boones Creek Road, Johnson City, TN, 26 years old) and charged her with burglary and theft of property.

At approximately 09:10 p.m., officers were on scene at 3111 Browns Mill Rd. (Walmart) in reference to a trespassing complaint. Officers made contact with Walmart loss prevention associates and were advised Sies had previously been trespassed from the business due to a shoplifting incident.  Sies was observed inside the business and was also observed concealing merchandise in her handbag. After Sies concealed the merchandise she passed the final point of sale, without making payment for the concealed merchandise, and exited the business. During the investigation, loss prevention associates provided officers with a notification of restriction from property signed by Sies. It was discovered that Sies had plead guilty to the prior shoplifting incident and is currently trespassed from all Walmart properties. For these reasons officers placed Sies under arrest for burglary and theft of property.  Sies was transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where she is being held in lieu of a $3000 bond. Sies has a preliminary court appearance scheduled for 09/08/20 at 1:30 p.m. in Washington County Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

     On 09/07/2020, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Thomas A Cousineau (116 Elizabeth St, Bristol, TN, 50) and charged him with five counts of aggravated assault.

At approximately 1:35 pm, officers responded to the area of S Roan St and Water St, on male hitting vehicles with a metal pipe. As officers arrived, they observed Cousineau on top of a female struggling with her in the parking lot of the John Sevier Center. The investigation revealed that Cousineau was walking in the middle of S Roan St, striking vehicles with a three-foot metal pipe as they passed. Cousineau then assaulted the female with the pipe. The female victim was transported to the Johnson City Medical Center for minor injuries. The investigation showed that a total of four vehicles were damaged.

Cousineau was transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of a $125,000 bond. Cousineau has a preliminary court appearance scheduled for 09/08/20 at 1:30 pm in Washington County Sessions Court.

Reggie Sparks, Sergeant

Johnson City Police Department

City of Johnson City, Tennessee

423.434.5741/423.483.5897

https://www.johnsoncitytn.org/services/public_safety/recruitment_program/

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 9/7/20, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Kelton Brzostowski (1020 Berry Rd., Elizabethton, TN, 25 years old) and charged him with Schedule II drug violation for resale, Schedule VI drug violation for resale, Unlawful drug paraphernalia, and Public intoxication.

At approximately 1:20 a.m., officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the downtown area. Upon arrival officers developed Brzostowski as a suspect in the disturbance. It was determined that Brzostowski had two outstanding warrants from Washington County TN Criminal Court. Search incident to arrest revealed that he had over 5 ounces of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, small baggies containing Cocaine, and scales.  He was also highly intoxicated at the time of interaction. 

He was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond. Arraignment is set for 09/8/20 at 1:30 p.m. in Washington County General Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 09/06/20, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Travis W. Dulaney (100 N. Roan St., 37 years old) and charged him with felony child endangerment, felony attempted motor vehicle theft, public intoxication, and resisting arrest.

At approximately 8:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to 200 Clark St. (Clark Street Baptist Church) in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival in the area officers encountered Dulaney walking in close proximity to the incident location pushing a stroller with a three month old child in it. Upon speaking with Dulaney officers discerned that he was intoxicated and attempted to call him a taxi. When the taxi arrived, Dulaney would not enter the taxi leaving officers no choice but to take him into custody for public intoxication. As officers attempted to take him into custody, Dulaney physically resisted and at one point attempted to steal the taxi and operate it while intoxicated with the child in the vehicle. Dulaney was eventually successfully taken into custody after a brief physical altercation.

EMS arrived on scene and transported Dulaney to the Johnson City Medical Center where he was medically cleared.  Dulaney was then transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is being held on a $20,000 bond. Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on 09/08/20 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

                On 09/04/20, the Johnson City Police Department arrested Marc Engle ( 31 yrs old, Kingsport, Tennessee) and charged him with Motor Vehicle Theft over $2,500. 

                The arrest resulted from an investigation into the theft of a 1994 Jeep Wrangler from 2203 McKinley Road, Johnson City, Tennessee on 04/10/20.  The vehicle was recovered on West Market Street, Johnson City, Tennessee on 08/10/20.

                Mr. Engle is being held at the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of a $2,500 bond.  He is scheduled for an arraignment in Washington County General Sessions Court on 09/08/20 at 1:30 pm.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 9/9/20 at around 3:15 a.m. officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Marc Engle (3211 Mayfield Dr., 31 years old) and charged him with two counts of felony evading arrest, two counts of driving on revoked license, two counts of reckless driving, improper display of registration, and a red light violation.

This arrest stems from two separate investigations of fleeing vehicles from 9/7/20 and 9/9/20 involving a green Ford Ranger and a blue Honda Odyssey. The investigation revealed that the driver of both fleeing vehicles was Marc Engle. He was arrested on the above charges and was transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is being held in lieu of a $24,000 bond. He is scheduled for arraignment on 9/9/20 at 1:30 p.m.

On 09/09/2020, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested sixty-nine year old Bashar Kadar (117 Bentley Parc, Johnson City) and charged him with Vandalism over $1,000.

The arrest stems from an investigation into an incident on 08/28/20 where Kadar was accused of vandalizing a vehicle parked in the parking lot of Food City located at 4307 N. Roan St.

Bashar Kadar was transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is being held on a $2,000 bond. He is set to be arraigned on 09/10/20 at 9:30 a.m.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 09/11/20, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested a 17 year old juvenile, charging them with rape of a child.

The arrest is the result of an investigation into a reported rape that occurred on E Fairview Ave in Johnson City.

The juvenile was arrested and will appear in Johnson City Juvenile Court at a later date.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 09/12/20, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Charles E. Tucker (1572 Riddell St., 50 years old) and charged him with aggravated burglary and theft of property.

At approximately 12:50 p.m., officers responded to the victim’s apartment. The victim’s advised that they had camera footage of Mr. Tucker entering their apartment and stealing medication. The camera footage showed Mr. Tucker entering the unoccupied apartment and stealing numerous pills before leaving the apartment.

Police located Mr. Tucker in a neighboring apartment of the Riddell St. apartment complex. Mr. Tucker was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of an $11,000 bond. Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on 09/14/20 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

    On September 12, 2020, at 7:20 pm, officers of the Johnson City Police Department responded to the intersection of State of Franklin Rd and Spring St to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle.  The vehicle, reported by witnesses as a white Ford Expedition, had fled the scene.  The pedestrian was transported to the Johnson City Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident.  Multiple videos provided by witnesses, traffic cameras and surrounding businesses are being reviewed.  The Johnson City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division continues to follow up on this case and seeks information regarding the incident. Anyone having information is requested to contact the Johnson City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 434-6166 or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at (423) 434-6158.  To send a confidential tip, text 423JCPD and your tip to 847411 (TIP411) or send a tip to www.citizenobserver.com. You can also send messages via the Johnson City Police Department Website http://www.johnsoncitytn.org/police/cid/ 

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

    On September 12, 2020, at 7:20 pm, officers of the Johnson City Police Department responded to the intersection of State of Franklin Rd and Spring St to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle.  The vehicle, reported by witnesses as a white Ford Expedition, had fled the scene.  The pedestrian was transported to the Johnson City Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident.  Multiple videos provided by witnesses, traffic cameras and surrounding businesses are being reviewed.  The Johnson City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division continues to follow up on this case and seeks information regarding the incident. Anyone having information is requested to contact the Johnson City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 434-6166 or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at (423) 434-6158.  To send a confidential tip, text 423JCPD and your tip to 847411 (TIP411) or send a tip to www.citizenobserver.com. You can also send messages via the Johnson City Police Department Website http://www.johnsoncitytn.org/police/cid/ 

UPDATE

     The investigation into the September 12, 2020, hit and run accident in downtown Johnson City continues to be followed up on by officers of the Johnson City Police Department. At this time, we have identified the vehicle and person of interest who may be involved in the accident. Officers with assistance from North Carolina authorities continue to search for the person and vehicle. More will be released on Monday, September 14, 2020 as it comes available.

Captain Kevin Peters

Johnson City Police Department

City of Johnson City, Tennessee

423.434.6166 o./423.434.6119 d. / www.johnsoncitytn.org 

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

     On September 14, 2020, the Johnson City Police Department arrested a Bakersville, North Carolina man in reference to the incident occurring on Saturday, September 12, 2020 in downtown Johnson City at the State of Franklin and Spring Street intersection. Arrested was Jared Benjamin Lafer, a thirty-seven year old male residing at 147 Rockdale Road, Bakersville, North Carolina. Mr. Lafer was charged with one count of Aggravated Assault after surrendering to authorities at the Washington County Detention Center this afternoon. Mr. Lafer was released on a $20,000.00 bond and will be arraigned in the Washington County General Sessions on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Captain Kevin Peters

Johnson City Police Department

City of Johnson City, Tennessee

423.434.6166 o./423.434.6119 d. / www.johnsoncitytn.org 

Corrected Press Release on Age!

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

     On September 14, 2020, the Johnson City Police Department arrested a Bakersville, North Carolina man in reference to the incident occurring on Saturday, September 12, 2020 in downtown Johnson City at the State of Franklin and Spring Street intersection. Arrested was Jared Benjamin Lafer, a twenty-seven year old male residing at 147 Rockdale Road, Bakersville, North Carolina. Mr. Lafer was charged with one count of Aggravated Assault after surrendering to authorities at the Washington County Detention Center this afternoon. Mr. Lafer was released on a $20,000.00 bond and will be arraigned in the Washington County General Sessions on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Captain Kevin Peters

Johnson City Police Department

City of Johnson City, Tennessee

423.434.6166 o./423.434.6119 d. / www.johnsoncitytn.org 

Captain Kevin Peters

Johnson City Police Department

City of Johnson City, Tennessee

423.434.6166 o./423.434.6119 d. / www.johnsoncitytn.org 

     JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 9/15/2020 officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Penny T. Brackins (1104 Knob Creek Rd., 49 years old) and charged her with Burglary, Theft of Property Under $1000, and Criminal Trespass.

On 9/15/2020 at approximately 10:00 a.m., officers responded to Walmart at 2915 W. Market St. in reference to a shoplifting in progress. When officers arrived employees and loss prevention officers identified a male and Mrs. Brackins as the suspect.  Mrs. Brackins was found to have concealed $198.79 worth of merchandise on her person with the help of the male.  Mrs. Brackins was previously charged with of theft of property over $1000 and trespassed from Walmart at 3200 Fort Henry Dr. Kingsport, TN.  The male was issued a misdemeanor citation and Mrs. Brackins was taken into custody.

Mrs. Brackins was transported to the Washington County Detention Center where she is being held in lieu of a $5,000 bond. Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on 9/16/2020 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at approximately 6:00 a.m. Officers of the Johnson City Police Department responded to 1007 E Unaka Ave in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a victim that suffered a gunshot wound to her shoulder. She was transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A person of interest has been identified and the Johnson City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate this case and seeks information regarding the incident. Anyone having information is requested to contact the Johnson City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 434-6166 or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at (423) 434-6158.  To send a confidential tip, text 423JCPD and your tip to 847411 (TIP411) or send a tip to www.citizenobserver.com. You can also send messages via the Johnson City Police Department Website http://www.johnsoncitytn.org/police/cid/ 

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 9/16/20 at approximately 4:30 a.m., officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Gregory L. Gunn, (144 Carrville Ave., 29 years old) and charged him with Auto Theft, Evading Arrest, Reckless Driving, Possession of Prohibited Weapons, and Driving on Revoked 2^nd offense.

Officers were alerted to a vehicle traveling recklessly on  W. Market St. The 911 caller believed the vehicle to be one that had been recently stolen from a family member. Officers were able to locate the vehicle at  W. State of Franklin Rd about Leonard St. The vehicle was being operated in a reckless manner and traveling at a high rate of speed. Officers attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Upon the activation of emergency equipment, the vehicle fled with speeds in excess of 100 mph. The vehicle was later seen by officers in the area of State of Franklin Rd. and Med Tech Pkwy.,  traveling at a high rate of speed.  A search of the area was conducted, officers observed a male walking in the area he was identified as Gunn. It was determined that he was the suspect in the theft of the vehicle.  Gunn had an active warrant from Washington County, TN Sheriff’s Office. Officers were able to locate the vehicle approximately .2 miles from the location that Gunn was found walking.  A search of Gunn found him to be in possession of brass knuckles. 

Gunn was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County, TN Detention Center, where he is being held on a $18,000 bond. Arraignment is set for Thursday 9/17/20 at 1:30 p.m. in Washington County General Sessions Court.