CROSSVILLE POLICE ARREST TWO IN RURAL KING SHOPLIFTING AND DRUG CASE
According to a report by Crossville Police, on October 11, 2025, Crossville Police responded to a shoplifting incident at Rural King, where a caller described a suspect vehicle—a black car with a missing front bumper and a toolbox strapped on top—and a white male suspect wearing a blue t-shirt, white pants, white shoes, and a hat.
An employee identified the suspect as Robert Shanahan, residing at 111 Rhodendren Circle. Officers, with permission to operate outside city limits, located the described vehicle and detained Shanahan and Elishia Kirkland. Shanahan admitted to stealing approximately 29 items, valued at $3,717.57, from Rural King to support a job opportunity, and was found with unprescribed Suboxone and Xanax pills.
Kirkland, who drove Shanahan, claimed ignorance of the theft but admitted to giving him Xanax pills. A search of her vehicle revealed an orange pill bottle with Adderall, a Schedule II narcotic, not prescribed to her, and other prescribed narcotics.
Both were arrested and transported to the Cumberland County Justice Center. Shanahan was charged with Felony Theft of Merchandise, and Kirkland with Simple Possession of Schedule II and Manufacturing/Delivery/Sale/Possession of Schedule IV.
