A soft lockdown was lifted Wednesday morning at the Preschool and School Administration Building after a domestic violence suspect was arrested a few blocks east on West Geneva Lane. (Photo by Oak Ridge Police Department)
Note: This story was last updated at 1:45 p.m. Sept. 17.
A soft lockdown was lifted Wednesday morning at the Oak Ridge Preschool and School Administration Building after a domestic violence suspect was arrested on West Geneva Lane.
The call was reported to have started at 10:21 a.m. on Georgia Avenue, which is east of Jackson Square and Blankenship Field, and a few blocks east of the Preschool and SAB. The Oak Ridge Police Department received a report of a domestic dispute, and suspect Timothy Dickens, 34, of Oak Ridge, allegedly kicked in the front door of a home, a City of Oak Ridge press release said.
“Mr. Dickens fled the residence on foot westbound into a densely wooded area,” the release said.
More officers responded and contained the area, and a canine police unit was dispatched to help with the search.
The ORPD then worked with Oak Ridge Schools to enter a soft lockdown at the Preschool and SAB, which is at 304 New York Avenue. During the soft lockdown, students and staff were asked to stay indoors and not go outside. Exterior doors remained locked. But there is no reason to shelter in place and no reason to be quiet, and interior doors are not locked.
After a short police search, officers located Dickens on West Geneva Lane at about 10:55 a.m., and they arrested him. West Geneva Lane is off Georgia Avenue, just north of Big Ed’s Pizza.
Dickens was taken to the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton, where he was charged with aggravated burglary.
The soft lockdown was lifted when Dickens was arrested.
“We chose to err on the side of caution as the suspect was last seen fleeing toward the area of the Preschool/SAB,” Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said. “However, at no time were students or staff in any danger.”
Timothy Dickens
ORPD used Nixle to send out immediate notifications during the incident to subscribed users. Anyone can sign up for ORPD alerts at http://local.nixle.com/oak-ridge-police-department. You can also sign up by texting 37830 to 888-777 to receive mobile alerts, or you can follow ORPD on Twitter or Facebook.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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Joseph Lee says
Thank you ORPD for another good job done well for us.
Sam Hopwood says
Speaking of the school system, a good editorial in today’s KNS on the “handling” accusations and how they were “handled” by the school administration concerning Fast Eddie Anderson. Heads should roll over this debacle. Just my view.
Matt Bailey says
Let me publicly state that I think Eddie Anderson is one hell of a fine man. An excellent educator who led us to the top scores in chemistry, a great track coach, a great leader, wonderful husband and father. Your attempt to ridicule him is sick. There are two sides to this story and his will likely surprise you, Sam. I’m shocked as a father of a teacher that you’d make that comment. We will miss his contributions as the heart and soul of ORHS. I, for one, stand with Eddie Anderson, his wonderful wife, and family.
Sam Hopwood says
I will go with the D.A.’s report and the police report. That say’s it all. The Super suspended him without pay and he immediately resigned. You are in denial. That’s your choice.
Matt Bailey says
Let’s hope your own daughter, a teacher, never gets accused. Would u ask the community to wait and hear her side. Or are you just that pompous?
Sam Hopwood says
Well Matt, if my daughter were accused of something and did not think she had done anything wrong, she would shout it from the roof tops that she did nothing wrong. The community has not heard that, in this case, or have I missed all that. You are in deep denial.
Matt Bailey says
So now u speak for your child in all cases. Just because you don’t agree with his timing you assume he’s guilty. Now that’s intelligent. I don’t know what the next step(s) might be or if there are any. Not sure you’re qualified to be judge and jury. What happened to you Sam? Why the need to continually beat up on your hometown and everything oak ridge? I’m not in denial. I’ve personally spoken to mr Anderson four times. Have you?
Sam Hopwood says
You bet I’ll speak up for my family. I have nothing to hide. What is really sad is that you have no concern for the girls involved. But then, they are all just liars, aren’t they. You are in deep, deep denial. And that’s my last word on this.
Matt Bailey says
Don’t believe I ever said I have no concern for any girls, did I? I do have concern for both sides to be presented. Lotta anger Sam. Hatred is bad for the soul.