Suspected multi-state thieves caught in Farragut

It won’t be a Merry Christmas for three suspected jewel thieves who were arrested, following a chase by Knoxville Police Department, in Farragut and Turkey Creek Monday, Dec. 10.

John H. Brown, 30; Xavier L. Carter, 23; and Kordarious S. Childs, 24, all of Memphis, were apprehended following robberies occurring earlier that day at Kay Jewelers at Knoxville Center Drive and Zales at West Town Mall.

The suspect later identified as Brown took two rings from one store and two sets of earrings from another before visiting Kay Jeweler’s, 11357 Parkside Drive, where he was apprehended by Knoxville Police Department officers who had been tracking him.

Brown was detained without incident, according to police reports. However, Childs, who was the driver, and Carter were observed sitting in a red Dodge Challenger in a nearby parking lot.

“As the officers approached the vehicle on foot, the suspects fled the scene,” the report stated.

The suspects then reportedly committed a hit-and-run on Parkside Drive near Campbell Station Road as they attempted to flee, then were apprehended about a mile west of the hit-and-run along Grigsby Chapel Road.

The car had been rented from Hertz Rent-A-Car, and false tags had been changed out for the license plates. A strong odor of marijuana was detected in the vehicle, and the stolen earrings from Zales were discovered in the car’s center console, the report stated.

Brown, who was charged with theft in the West Town Mall incident, had an outstanding warrant for felony theft in Davidson County (bond was denied) and Shelby County (bond is denied). Additional local charges are pending.

Carter was charged with theft, felony evading and leaving the scene of an accident. Additional local charges were pending.

Childs also was charged with theft. Additional local charges were pending.

There are multiple cases pending on the suspects from Shelby, Hamilton and Davidson counties in Tennessee, along with incidents in Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi.

Carter made bond last week, according to information from KPD, but Childs remained incarcerated at that time, as did Brown, who was denied bond.