Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch named Officer Larry Presnell the September Officer of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department. Officer Presnell has been with KPD since February 1991.

Chief Rausch said that on September 8, 2011, at approximately 12:14 p.m., officers responded to a robbery of an individual in the parking lot of a grocery store in Fountain City. The female victim was robbed of her purse by the suspects as she was walking to her vehicle. A few minutes later, officers received information that the suspects were attempting to use the victim's credit card at a business on Washington Pike. Officer Presnell, who was investigating a near-by vehicle crash, began searching the area for the vehicle.

Chief Rausch said, "Officer Presnell located the suspects near Mall Road and Washington Pike. After confirming the description and the license plate number of the suspect's vehicle, Officer Presnell attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the 1985 Olds Cutlass Supreme vehicle."

The suspects fled from Officer Presnell. During the three minute pursuit in the Alice Bell community, the suspects tossed from their vehicle the victim's credit cards and identification cards. The suspects then crashed their vehicle into a tree as they attempted to turn onto Alice Bell Road from Valley View Drive. Both the male and female suspect fled from the vehicle on foot, but was quickly apprehended by responding officers.

Both suspects were involved in the robbery of a female the previous day in the parking lot of a business in the 4400 block of Chapman Highway. During that incident the male suspect used a taser on the 61 year-old victim while the female suspect grabbed the victim's purse from her vehicle.

Chief Rausch said, "Officer Presnell's actions and desire to protect the community stopped a violent crime spree and prevented additional citizens from becoming victims."

Mayor Rogero said, "We congratulate Officer Presnell for his dedication in serving the citizens we serve."