July 15, 2026 in Local, Top Stories

THIEVES BYPASS CAR SECURITY IN SERIAL CROSSVILLE THEFT; OVER $2,400 IN DESIGNER CLOTHES AND ELECTRONICS STOLEN

A local resident has been left baffled and out of thousands of dollars after a series of stealthy vehicle burglaries at a Sparta Highway apartment complex.

On July 6, 2026, a victim reported to the Cumberland County Justice Center that someone had been systematically draining his locked vehicle of valuable belongings over the span of a month. According to Crossville Police Department reports, the total value of the stolen goods and property damage is estimated at nearly $2,458.

The thief—or thieves—targeted an incredibly specific and expensive haul of wardrobe items and vehicle electronics. According to the police report, the stolen items include:

  • Designer Apparel ($2,050 total): 35 assorted shirts valued at $1,750, alongside a collection of pants from brands including Hollister, American Eagle, Dolce & Gabbana, Levi, and Adidas valued at $300.

  • Vehicle Electronics ($249): A 10-inch aftermarket display vehicle radio of an unknown make and model.

  • Smartphone ($119): A Samsung Galaxy A17.

  • Property Damage ($40): Damage to an on-board camera system.

What makes the serial thefts particularly unusual is that The victim insists his vehicle was kept locked at all times.

According to the victim, neighbors had previously reported hearing his car alarm trigger on multiple occasions over the last month. The most recent alarm event occurred on the morning of July 6 at approximately 8:30 AM.

He told responding Officer Lt. Jonathan O’Neal that he has been experiencing ongoing issues with a neighboring apartment. He strongly suspects that someone living nearby may have obtained a cloned or duplicate electronic key fob that functions on his vehicle’s locking system, allowing them effortless, silent entry.

“The victim explained that the Samsung phone had his banking app on it, which is his primary concern,” Lt. O’Neal noted in the official police report.

The victim attempted to track his stolen Samsung Galaxy A17 using a “Find My Phone” application. The app briefly pinged the phone’s location at 1671 Sparta Highway—just doors down from the victim’s apartment complex. However, by the time police arrived to take the report, the phone had gone completely offline and disappeared from the tracking account.

At this time, the Crossville Police Department has approved the incident report, but no suspects have been officially charged. Anyone with information regarding the thefts or suspicious activity on Sparta Highway is encouraged to contact local authorities.



CONTACT INFORMATION

3B Media
105.7 The HOG / Spirit 101.9/ 93.3 The Ranch
94.1 The VIBE / 98.9 The WOLF
37 South Drive
Crossville, TN 38555

Phone: 931-484-1057
Fax: 931-707-0580