Knoxville police arrest two people in connection with multiple robberies

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Knoxville Police have now arrested two people in connection with multiple robberies that happened this weekend.

Scott Erland with the KPD said Brandon Donathan, 25, and Sarai Standridge, 24, both of Knoxville, are each charged with attempted aggravated robbery.

On Sunday morning, University of Tennessee police sent out an emergency alert reporting a robbery at 11th Street and Cumberland Avenue.

According to UT Police, the suspect in that case was last seen fleeing onto Neyland Drive via 3rd Creek Greenway. The suspect was armed with a handgun, police said, and was described as a white or Hispanic man wearing a ski mask and a black hoodie.

Scott Erland with the KPD said officers responded to the area around Luscombe Drive and Pocanno Road on Sunday afternoon. Officers received information that a man dressed all in black was attempting to rob a resident at gunpoint. Erland said the suspect left the scene and got into a white sedan.

Police said a witness was able to take video of the suspect and the white sedan, and also witnessed the suspect throw a firearm into nearby bushes.

A short time later, officers observed the suspect vehicle driving westbound on Luscombe Drive. Officers stopped the vehicle and detained both people in the car, identified as Donathan and Standridge, KPD said.

Earland said Brandon Donathan, 25, and Sarai Standridge, 24, both of Knoxville,... — Earland said Brandon Donathan, 25, and Sarai Standridge, 24, both of Knoxville, have been charged in connection with the robberies or attempted robberies.(KCSO)

Donathan and Standridge were both transported to the Knoxville Public Safety Complex for questioning. Detectives were able to link Donathan and Standridge to three robbery incidents that occurred near the UT campus and two other attempted robberies, which were not reported to KPD until Sunday afternoon, Erland said.

KPD said a male victim reported that a man, since identified as Donathan, tried to rob him at gunpoint around 1:10 a.m. Sunday in the area of Clinch Avenue and 22nd Street. A female victim also reported that a man, also identified as Donathan, tried to rob her at gunpoint around 1:30 a.m. Sunday in the area of Clinch Avenue and 17th Street.

Erland said Donathan and Standridge have both been charged with attempted aggravated robbery over the incident that took place on Luscombe Road. Donathan has also been charged with multiple additional counts of theft or attempted theft, in addition to possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous crime. Additional charges are expected at Standridge.