On April 30, 2026, Officer Matt Charlock of the Crossville Police Department responded to a report from a Lowe’s loss prevention officer regarding Joshua Webb, who had been observed concealing merchandise inside the store. The loss prevention officer, who personally knew Webb and had banned him from the premises in July 2018, reported that Webb fled to a nearby deli after being spotted. Upon locating Webb at the deli, the officer observed signs that he had been running (heavy breathing and sweating). After advising him of his Miranda rights, Webb waived them and admitted he had come from Lowe’s intending to steal but left after getting scared. A consensual search of Webb yielded a Craftsman razor knife and blue pliers/cutters. He was taken into custody for trespassing.

Video footage reviewed with McGeary confirmed that Webb entered the store twice that afternoon. During the visits, he concealed multiple packs of DeWalt 20V batteries (hiding them behind other items after reaching behind a locked gate), changed clothing between entries, and was seen cutting a Turtle anti-theft device off a display tool, causing approximately $10 in damage. McGeary watched Webb run directly into the deli after the second incident.

In a later interview at the justice center, Webb admitted entering Lowe’s with the intent to steal the batteries to sell for narcotics money and expressed a desire for rehabilitation and probation on pending charges. He spontaneously referenced returning a leaf blower and a laptop, the latter linking him to a prior theft at Staples on January 10, 2026, though he declined to discuss that case further without an attorney. Warrants were obtained for theft at Staples and burglary at Lowe’s, the latter based on his knowledge of the ban, intent to commit theft, and vandalism of security equipment. Webb was served with the warrants, and video evidence was documented on the officer’s body camera.