KINGSPORT -- A man arrested last week after allegedly burglarizing a Sullivan County home -- leaving his cell phone at the scene of the crime, then attempting to hand the stolen goods back to the victims -- is now facing charges in a string of Kingsport burglaries.
Kevin Lance Henry, 28, of 1921 Bowater Drive, was arrested Aug. 8 by the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. Kingsport Police Department Detective Tommy Arnold said a subsequent search of Henry's residence uncovered thousands of dollars in items believed to have been stolen during a nearly two-month auto burglary spree throughout the city.
Henry is currently tied to four such burglaries, according to investigators, but could be connected to several additional incidents. Some of the stolen items have been returned to victims, but police are still seeking rightful owners to claim most of the property.
Those stolen goods include four laptops, a dozen wristwatches, eight pocket watches, two car stereos, six cell phones, three video game systems, video games, a Volvo key fob, two GPS units and digital cameras. There's also various jewelry, including a bracelet inlaid with six dimes, dated 1912 through 1916.
Individuals believing they've been victimized can schedule an appointment to review the recovered items by calling Arnold at 245-9588 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Arnold said Henry has thus far been charged with one count of auto burglary, though an investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending. On Aug. 8, the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office charged Henry with aggravated burglary, theft of more than $1,000, and auto burglary.
Early that morning, police responded to a home on Ridge Road. One of the victims said he heard someone walking up the stairway, went to investigate and located a man "wearing a black hoodie with blue tape on one of his hands."
The suspect was chased from the scene carrying small electronics, jewelry and cash from inside the home, as well as items from a car that was parked outside. Meanwhile a cell phone, which didn't belong to any of the victims, was located at the scene.
The victims stated that shortly after the incident they walked down the road searching for some of the stolen property. They were confronted by a man nearby, outside of 4020 Ridge Road.
The man, later identified as Henry, asked them what they were doing. He is then alleged to have told them he "found a bag" in the front yard and went inside the residence to retrieve it. When handed over to the victims, their stolen possessions were located.
Detectives responded to question Henry, determining the phone found at the victims' home was his. He was arrested and consented to a search of his residence, which Kingsport police say produced the items stolen from vehicles in the Model City.