TN+Property+Cases+4th

The Police Department's Streets Crime Unit, under the direction of the Criminal Investigations Division, conducts inquiries into drug and vice complaints within the city, targeting street to mid-level dealers, prostitution and gambling. The Street Crimes Unit also assists CID and patrol by operating in an undercover role and providing equipment and assistance for conducting video and audio surveillance of suspects. The basis of many Street Crime Unit investigations are citizen provided tips. Anyone with information on illegal drug activity within the city can report it either by contacting Unit Officers directly at 423-989-5532 or by calling the Department's TIPS line at 423-764-TIPS (764-8477). Bristol, Va., police say suspects accused in a robbery and two beatings are believed to be involved in a locally formed street gang.

Police launched an investigation of several male and female, adult and junevile suspects believed to have formed a local street gang after receiving information from the Criminal Intelligence Unit/Gang Task Force, according to a press release.

Two men, a woman, and two male juveniles have been charged in connection with a May 19 robbery and beating of one man and a second beating two days later of another man who told police he was lured from his home and beaten by several individuals carrying large sticks and glass bottles, the release said.

The victim of the robbery suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, while the victim in the second incident suffered severe injuries and received treatment at Bristol Regional Medical Center, according to the release.

Michael Ray Clark, 20, 401 Oakview Ave., Apt. 434, Bristol, Va., and Bobby L. Lawhorne, 19, 1120 Anderson St., Apt. 1, Bristol, Tenn., each are charged with gang participation in criminal act committed with a juvenile, conspiracy to commit burglary, wearing a mask in a public place to hide identity, criminal street gang participation within 1000 feet of a school, malicious wounding, petit larceny, assault and battery.

Lawhorne remains in the Bristol, Va., jail without bond. Clark is to be extradited from Sullivan County, Tenn., and is set for an Aug. 7 appearance in General District Court.

Ruby Reyes, 24, 401 Oak view Ave., Apt. 448, Bristol, Va., was charged only with criminal street gang participation within 1000 feet of a school, wearing a mask in a public place to hide identity and malicious wounding. She remains jailed on $25,000 bond and is also set for an Aug. 7 appearance in court.

Two male juveniles, one from Bristol, Va., and one from Bristol, Tenn., have also been charged and are being processed through the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, Va. Their court dates had not been set as of Friday afternoon.

Kingsport Times-News June 20th, 2008

Gene Perrin, an assistant district attorney in Sullivan County, Tenn., remembers a decade-old murder in detail, but hesitates to discuss it, because, he said, it was very painful for the community. The 1997 gang-related shooting of a teenage boy sent shock waves through the community and sparked public action against criminal street gangs. Less than a month after the murder, Perrin rounded up others committed to running gangs out of Bristol and began a task force that still operates today.

Scenario John Williams blew up his neighbor's shed, Kevin Wirt his neighbor had been planning on destroying it anyway. Could the police charge him for this?