Saturday, December 08, 2018

Jefferson County carjacking
Jefferson County authorities have released information regarding a Thursday carjacking incident in that county. Sheriff Jeff Coffey said his department was notified just after 1 pm by Knox County authorities of the pursuit of a vehicle suspected of being involved in thefts in that county. Several minutes later, Detectives R. McMahan, Det. R. Collins, and Det. S. Cameron observed the suspect vehicle traveling east on Interstate 40 near the 419 rest area. "The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and maneuvering very erratically," the sheriff said. Detectives were in an unmarked patrol car following the vehicle but lost contact with it as they traveled east on 25E at Leadvale Road in White Pine. The vehicle was again spotted at the rest area on Interstate 81 south near the 3 mile marker. But when officers approached the vehicle they discovered the driver and passenger had abandoned the auto and fled the area after attempting to carjack a black Honda Civic at gunpoint. Both the driver and passenger entered the auto but it was out of gas, forcing them to flee on foot. Both suspects then ran north from the rest area to a residence on Valley Home Rd where they carjacked a red Ford Ranger by gunpoint. The suspects fled, traveling east on Valley Home Rd and were located by deputies with the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office who engaged in a pursuit. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the White Pine Police Department also assisted in the pursuit during which shots were fired at Hamblen County deputies. Both suspects later were detained. Back at the rest area, detectives were able to obtain a written statement from the owner of the Honda. They also were able to observe numerous rifles, handguns, purses, jewelry, credit/debit cards, clothing, and wallets suspected of being stolen inside the 1999 Chevrolet Camaro which had been abandoned by the suspects. The vehicle was impounded at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. After obtaining a search warrant for the 1999 Chevrolet Camaro, detectives were able to conduct an inventory of the vehicle. The search revealed several items including weapons had been stolen from Knox County. Detectives also recovered 49 grams of marijuana from the vehicle. Both suspects now have been charged. The driver, Christopher Allen Deel, 32, Raven, Virginia is charged with two counts of Aggravated Robbery as well as Carjacking. Deel also was being sought on active warrants charging him with Burglary and Theft over $1,000 from a November 16 incident in Dandridge His passenger, Jennifer Nicole Nunley, no age given, Raven, Virginia, is charged with two counts of Aggravated Robbery as well as Carjacking "We are thankful that no one was injured during this incident including the deputies with the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office who were in the direct line of fire during the pursuit," said Sheriff Coffey. "It is great to see the teamwork from all agencies including the troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol."


Return to Today's News Stories - Front Page

Thursday, April 29, 2021

  • US 411 Project News
  • Mill Creek Wildfire Update
  • More Bad News For Smokies' Fans

    Wednesday, April 28, 2021

  • Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
  • Goodbye Smokies?
  • Keep Cocke County Beautiful
  • Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!

    Tuesday, April 27, 2021

  • The fireflies are coming!
  • Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
  • Gas prices drop
  • Tennessee keeps all US House seats

    Monday, April 26, 2021

  • Boat accident victim ID'd
  • Traffic stop yields drug arrest
  • Cocke County Wildfires

    Friday, April 23, 2021

  • Leaving WNPC
  • Mathis announces candidacy
  • Newport drug roundup
  • Cruise Against Cancer
  • Jobless numbers