Cops nab three shoplifters in Turkey Creek after high speed chase, shot fired
Three female shoplifting suspects who “crashed into multiple vehicles” fleeing Knox County Sheriff’s Officers heading west on Parkside Drive in Farragut, with an officer firing “one round at the suspects’ vehicle rear window” after suffering an injury, have been identified and charged, a KCSO press released stated.
“Dayzjuana Caldwell, 19, Nashville, is in Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility charged with theft and two counts of aggravated assault. Her bond is $70,000,” the release further stated. “Tangaletta Clark, 19, Murfreesboro, was charged with theft and released on a $10,000 bond. Stephanie Howard, 19, Nashville, was charged with theft and released on a $10,000 bond.”
While “seven cars, including one KCSO cruiser, were damaged” during the pursuit, one unidentified officer “was treated and released at a local hospital for minor injuries,” the report stated.
The three women allegedly “shoplifted approximately $24,000 in merchandise from Belk department store, 11397 Parkside Drive. As they left the store shortly before 1 p.m., they saw KCSO Officer Chris Allison approaching them and ran to their Dodge Caliber that was parked in front of the store,” the released stated. “Officer Allison, Capt. Gary Parker and Lt. David Amburn approached the vehicle and told the suspects to get out of the car.
“They refused and the driver, Caldwell, also refused commands to turn off the engine. Instead, she sped to another parking space. Allison used his tactical baton and broke out the driver’s door window and attempted to turn off the car and to physically remove the suspect,” the report further stated. “With the upper half of the officer’s body in the car, Caldwell put the car in reverse and sped backwards placing the officer in fear of injury or death. Caldwell backed into the original parking space, put the car in drive and sped forward striking Parker’s left knee.
“Parker fired his county-issued service weapon one time, striking the rear window of the suspects’ vehicle. After a short vehicle pursuit and a foot pursuit, the three suspects were taken into custody.”
Officers responded “around 12:40 p.m. after being notified by multiple Turkey Creek retailers that a group of three women were shoplifting in area stores,” an earlier press release stated.
Howard and Clark are scheduled for a bonded arraignment in Knox County General Sessions Court beginning at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 28, a Knox County Criminal Court clerk said.
No court appearance date had been set for Caldwell as of deadline Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 20, the clerk added.
