Man Arrested For Vandalism At Holiday Inn Friday

Police arrested a man Friday at the Holiday Inn on Cosby Hwy in Newport after he left a trail of blood there. Hotel staff stated that the trail began on the 4th floor and went all the was to the parking lot. The man was identified by a hotel employee as 25 year old Spencer Long who was staying in room 412. Police checked the room and found the tv ripped from the wall and broken into two pieces. There were beer cans scattered about and blood all over the bed, carpeting and entryway to the room. Police observed the trail go down multiple floors on the hallway walls and also guest room doors. The blood trail abruptly ended at the parking lot. The police were able to ping Long’s phone which was found to be on I-40 East around MM450. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Cocke County Sheriff’s office was able to track Long down on the interstate. He refused medical attention and was taken into custody. Long told officers that he had gotten angry at sounds he heard and punched the television…breaking it. He said he them became nervous and fled. He’s been charged with vandalism and destruction of property. The Holiday Inn claimed damage at $25,000, but the police department stated damage was more in the $2500 range.