Multi-County Burglary Suspect Found In Newport

A man responsible for numerous burglaries around the area is now in custody. White Pine police say that a man was spotted at a home on Lakeside Drive with a U-Haul. A neighbor became suspicious and called police. Officers found the rear door of the home had been pried open with the pry bar found nearby. The neighbor who spotted the U-Haul, took a photo of it that was given to police. They tracked down the man who rented the truck, 48 year old Christopher Rick Driggers. White Pine detectives worked with Cocke County detectives who tracked Driggers to a residence on Jayce Way in Newport.

Items taken in the White Pine burglary were spotted immediately. A further search of the property found items taken in burglaries that occurred in Cocke County, Sevier County and also Pittman Center. Over $50,000 in stolen goods were recovered at the residence.

Driggers is currently being held at the Jefferson County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond. He faces charges in all jurisdictions where burglaries occurred.