DEL RIO, TN — Three Cocke County residents were charged Friday after the theft of two four-wheel ATVs in Del Rio.
Richard Patrick Carnal, 42, of Newport; William Henry Harris, 37, of Dandridge; and Shauna Valentine, 35, of Newport were arrested by the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office. The theft involved three four-wheelers, including a 1999 Honda Foreman and a 2005 Kawasaki 650, each valued at over $1,000. Valentine also faces a charge of Accessory After the Fact.
At approximately 5:24 a.m., Deputy Chris Williamson responded to a call from John Daniel Turner, who reported two stolen ATVs from his property. Turner followed the suspects as they drove the vehicles down Old Fifteenth Road toward Del Rio. He stopped them at gunpoint near a bridge at 148 Old Fifteenth Road while a witness notified authorities.
When deputies arrived at 5:53 a.m., Turner was holding William Harris, who was driving the Honda ATV. Turner identified the men as Carnal and Harris, threatening force if they didn’t return his property. Carnal had recently worked on Turner’s property.
Harris explained he had been contacted by Carnal that morning to pick up the ATVs. Carnal claimed the ATVs belonged to him and were being repaired at Turner’s address. Harris said he was unaware the vehicles were stolen. Valentine, Carnal’s girlfriend, was driving the truck.
Deputies later arrived at Carnal’s residence where Valentine initially resisted arrest, pulling away and fleeing after Carnal released a dog at the deputies. Valentine was apprehended shortly after.
All three suspects are now in custody pending further investigation.
