Knoxville Residents Charged in Early Morning Robbery Spree Near University Campus

Knoxville Residents Charged in String of Early Morning Robberies

In the bustling city of Knoxville, excitement in the air turned to concern as a series of robberies unfolded near the University of Tennessee campus early Sunday morning. Local police have charged two individuals—Brandon Donathan, 25, and Sarai Standridge, 24—who allegedly played significant roles in these events.

The Attempted Robbery That Started It All

It all began on October 27, 2024, at around 4:10 p.m. when the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) responded to a report on Luscombe Drive and Pocanno Road. A man dressed in all black attempted to rob a resident at gunpoint. According to eyewitnesses, the assailant fled the scene in a white sedan after the attempt.

Quick Action by the Community

Fortunately, one alert resident managed to capture video footage of the suspect and the getaway vehicle. This brave witness also reported seeing the suspect discard a firearm in nearby bushes before he sped away. The KPD acted fast, and shortly after, they spotted the car traveling west on Luscombe Drive. The officers stopped the vehicle and detained the occupants.

Connecting the Dots

Once in custody, both Donathan and Standridge were taken to the Public Safety Complex for further investigation. Thanks to thorough police work and the community’s involvement, detectives discovered that the pair was connected to several other robbery incidents that occurred earlier that same morning.

The Timeline of the Robberies

As it turns out, just hours before the attempted robbery on Luscombe Drive, Donathan was already on the prowl. At approximately 1:45 a.m., a 22-year-old woman was robbed of her purse on 11th Street and Cumberland Avenue. This incident raised alarms across the locality. But that wasn’t the end of it.

In a particularly shocking turn of events, at around 1:10 a.m., another victim reported that Donathan had brandished a firearm and tried to rob him in the vicinity of Clinch Avenue and 22nd Street. Just twenty minutes later, another attempted robbery occurred where Donathan targeted a female victim at gunpoint near Clinch Avenue and 17th Street.

Charges Filed

As of now, both Donathan and Standridge face charges of attempted aggravated robbery stemming from the Luscombe Road incident. Donathan has been hit with multiple additional counts of robbery and attempted robbery, as well as possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. It’s worth noting that more charges against Standridge are anticipated as the investigation continues.

The Community Responds

This unsettling series of events has left many Knoxville residents speaking out. Community members are reminding everyone to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police. Such incidents hit particularly hard in neighborhoods often considered safe and peaceful, particularly near college campuses.

Staying Safe

As KPD continues to look into the connection between these robberies and any other incidents involving the same suspects, locals are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior. With the support of the community and law enforcement working hand in hand, Knoxville can strive to remain the vibrant community it is known to be, even in the face of these unsettling occurrences.

As the investigation moves forward, residents can take comfort in the fact that dedicated officers are working tirelessly to keep their neighborhood safe. Only time will tell what further developments await in this case.