CROSSVILLE, TN – On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at approximately 12:55 am CST, Cumberland County 911 Dispatch received a call of a robbery in progress at the Waffle House, 48 Executive Dr., Crossville, TN.

Upon the arrival of officers, it was discovered that a male suspect had entered the restaurant, armed with a folding knife, assaulted 2 employees by striking them, and ran off with $388 in cash, in the direction of the wooded area behind the Marathon gas station. A call was received from the Red Roof Inn, stating that the suspect was possibly in that building.

The suspect was located hiding in the attic of the hotel, which he accessed via a utility room door. Once located, the suspect began throwing money at the officers, refusing to comply with officer’s commands. Less lethal options, including pepper spray, bean bags and a taser were used to extract the suspect from the attic. After falling through the ceiling of 3 separate hotel rooms, the suspect was taken into custody and $381 was recovered. Damage to the hotel rooms is estimated at $30,000.

The suspect was identified as Jonathan William Beard, 31 of Harriman, TN. Beard was charged with Aggravated Robbery, Burglary, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault and 4 counts of Vandalism.

The Crossville Police Department would like to thank members of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol for their assistance with this investigation.

Please contact the Crossville Police Department at 931-484-7231 with any information relating to this incident.