Suspect Identified from Attempted Boat Theft (September 9, 2020, 10 a.m.)
The suspect from the attempted boat theft that occurred on Neyland Drive on the morning of September 8, 2020 has been identified as Jeffery Carter Newcomb.
It was previously reported that officers responded to Volunteer Landing Marina, but the initial incident in fact occurred at 400 Neyland Drive, where the owner returned to his boat and found an unknown male, now identified as Newcomb, attempting to steal it. The owner quickly took pictures of the suspect, who then fled west towards the UT rowing house. When officers located the suspect by the rowing house, Newcomb jumped into the river in an attempt to elude officers. After multiple attempts to apprehend the suspect, he was removed from the water and taken into custody.
Newcomb was charged with felony theft and evading arrest.
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At approximately 9:06 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to an attempted boat theft at Volunteer Landing Marina. Following the unsuccessful attempted theft, the male suspect fled on foot. When the suspect was confronted by officers near the Wayne G. Basler Boathouse on Neyland Drive, the suspect jumped into the river in an attempt to elude officers. KPD, Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Knoxville Fire Department boats responded in an effort to take the suspect into custody. At approximately 9:50 a.m., the suspect was removed from the water and taken into custody. Charges are pending on the suspect.