The Oak Ridge Police Department recovered several thousand dollars worth of merchandise allegedly stolen during a string of burglaries during the past two weeks. Two teenagers were arrested and charged with burglary and possession of stolen property.
Police searching an apartment in east Oak Ridge early Thursday morning recovered several thousand dollars worth of items allegedly taken in burglaries during the past few weeks, and two teenagers were arrested and charged with burglary and possession of stolen property, authorities said.
The stolen items, which fill a table at the police station, include backpacks and women’s accessories, sporting equipment such as golf clubs, and electronic merchandise  such as cell phones, GPS systems, and a television. Police said they will try to match the items to recent reports of stolen equipment, and officers will call victims.
After the Thursday morning search, the Oak Ridge Police Department arrested Chase Davis, 19, and Bryson Higgins, 18. They both live in an apartment on Erskine Lane at the Tara Hills Apartments, and they face multiple counts of burglary and possession of stolen property.
Police said the majority of the items were likely taken in auto burglaries.
The recovered items include electronic equipment such as GPS systems and a calculator.
The ORPD said the investigation started on Wednesday when officers developed information about a stolen handgun, which was previously taken from a vehicle in Knoxville.
“Follow-up investigation identified several suspects that were potentially involved in this theft, as well as multiple car and residential burglaries in the Briarcliff neighborhood of Oak Ridge,” an ORPD press release said.
Continuing the investigation, members of the ORPD’s Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions, as well as the Special Projects Unit, started monitoring the suspects, the release said.
At about 4 a.m. Thursday, members of the ORPD Patrol and Special Projects Unit detained five people in the Tara Hills Apartment complex, “which resulted in the search of an apartment and the subsequent recovery of a substantial amount of property stolen in multiple burglaries over an approximate two-week period in Oak Ridge,” the release said.
“It was a perfect marrying of intelligence, crime analysis, and innovative enforcement techniques,” ORPD Chief Jim Akagi said.
The release said more charges are pending, and the investigation continues. Recent victims of home or auto burglaries or thefts are encouraged to call ORPD Detective Kevin Craig at (865) 425-3511 to make arrangements to identify items that were recovered and possibly claim them, the release said.
Here are a few more pictures showing a mix of sporting equipment, electronic items, and a television:
Note: More photos were added at 9:20 a.m. Sept. 6.
Jason Allison says
I recently had a a couple of my friends complain ORPD isn’t doing anything. Maybe they’ll rethink themselves.
johnhuotari says
Jason, do they have any particular areas of concern?
Jason Allison says
Outside of just wanting to complain about the police presence and “its not like they have a lot of murders to solve” no. I’m entirely grateful for the job our officers do and the change Akagi has brought.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Jason. I was just curious.
Colin says
Kudos to ORPD – solving petty theft doesn’t seem like an easy thing to do…
johnhuotari says
Colin,
Just a friendly reminder to please remember to use your last name also. I’ve know you’ve posted it previously but we’re trying to be consistent.
Thank you,
John
Jason Allison says
Is this a jab at what they did?
johnhuotari says
I can’t speak for Colin, but I do know him and I assume this was a compliment. I think he meant that it would generally be difficult to determine who stole someone’s GPS or calculator, for example.
Jason Allison says
That’s why I posed that as a question because of theamount recovered this is definitely not petty theft.
johnhuotari says
Okay. I see what you’re saying.