KPD Credits Technology, Coordination for Rapid Arrest
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI) – Knoxville Police say the department’s Real Time Information Center played a critical role in the swift arrest of a suspect following a vehicle burglary reported Monday morning on the University of Tennessee campus.
According to authorities, officers with the Knoxville Police Department and University of Tennessee Police Department responded around 11:45 a.m. Monday to a reported vehicle burglary on Estabrook Road.
Investigators say personnel assigned to the Real Time Information Center, commonly known as RTIC, immediately began reviewing available camera footage and intelligence resources. Using those tools, staff were able to develop a suspect description and determine the suspect’s direction of travel.
That information was relayed to officers in the field, who began searching the area.
A short time later, officers located the suspect, identified as Christopher Reppond, 39.
According to police, Reppond was found in possession of a bicycle that was later reported stolen to the University of Tennessee Police Department. Officers also reportedly recovered drug paraphernalia.
Reppond was taken into custody by UTPD and charged with:
- Theft
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Police praised the quick response and coordination between agencies, emphasizing the role technology played in helping officers rapidly identify and locate the suspect.
The Knoxville Police Department said the case highlights the value of the Real Time Information Center, which assists patrol officers responding to 911 calls and detectives conducting criminal investigations.
Officials said the center’s staff helped ensure the theft case was resolved almost immediately while taking a repeat offender off the streets.
The investigation remains ongoing.
