Oak Ridge Today

Two men arrested on robbery charges; one also wanted for attempted murder, ORPD says

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ORPD-East-Tennessee-Ave-Arrests-March-20-2016

Two men wanted on robbery charges were taken into custody by the Oak Ridge Police Department SWAT and Patrol at 442 East Tennessee Avenue on Sunday, March 20, 2016, without incident after a tip. (Photo by ORPD via Twitter)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:37 p.m.

Two men wanted on robbery charges were arrested after officers from the Oak Ridge Police Department entered a home on East Tennessee Avenue on Sunday evening, authorities said. One of the men was also wanted on charges that include attempted first-degree murder, statutory rape, and aggravated assault, the ORPD said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department said it learned at about 4 p.m. Sunday that brothers Joseph Garner Lee and Khristoff Deshawn Lee were at 442 East Tennessee Avenue.

Kristoff D Lee

Khristoff D. Lee

Khristoff Deshawn Lee, 22, had multiple warrants for his arrest for charges of assault, attempted murder (first-degree), statutory rape, aggravated assault, and robbery, and Joseph Garner Lee, 26, had a warrant for his arrest for a robbery charge, the ORPD said.

ORPD Special Projects Unit and Patrol Division personnel verified that Joseph Garner Lee was present at the home, a press release said.

“Due to the nature of the charges and previous contacts with both individuals, at approximately 7:30 p.m., ORPD tactical officers entered the residence and arrested both individuals without incident,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Smith named deputy police chief

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Jim Akagi and Robin Smith

Former Captain Robin Smith, right, has been promoted to deputy chief of the Oak Ridge Police Department. Smith is pictured above with ORPD Chief Jim Akagi. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Former Captain Robin Smith has been promoted to deputy chief of the Oak Ridge Police Department.

Smith was promoted on November 8. City officials said he will still oversee the ORPD Patrol Division and SWAT Team.

“He is a valuable member of the ORPD executive and senior leadership teams,” the City of Oak Ridge said of Smith. “Both the ORPD and the Oak Ridge community are very fortunate to have him as a deputy chief, and look forward to his leadership and talent in improving public safety for all of the great Oak Ridge citizens.” [Read more…]

Police arrest two teens after recovering items from two-week burglary spree

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Burglary Items Recovered by ORPD

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. [Read more…]

Proactive policing, officer visibility, Neighborhood Watch help reduce crime, chief says

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James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

The number of reported crimes has dropped significantly in each of the past two years in Oak Ridge, and that’s good news for the community, economic development, and police officer morale, officials said Wednesday.

Reported crimes were down 9 percent in Oak Ridge in 2011, and 11.5 percent in 2012, according to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation statistics.

“That indicates to me that isn’t a blip,” Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said. “It’s not a one-year blip.” [Read more…]