The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff Reports

Posted: Monday, January 01, 2018 12:26 PM

KNOX: Suspects Identified In Early July Home Invasion, Burglary

Officers from the Knoxville Police Department responded to a burglary on July 8, at approximately 11:17 a.m., in the 2300 block of Magnolia Avenue.

According to police, three males entered the residence. One of the males was armed with a handgun. The three males ransacked the residence before fleeing with electronic items, a knife and cash.

One of the suspects was identified and arrested on July 14 in the 900 block of Mountcastle Street. The suspect seen in the security video wearing a yellow ball cap and gray shirt was identified as Benton Laurence Jones, 21, of Knoxville. Jones was charged with aggravated burglary, theft and simple possession. His bond was set at $51,000.

Within 20 minutes of KPD posting the security video footage on social media Tuesday, multiple citizens provided possible names of the remaining two suspects. On Wednesday, July 19, at approximately 1 p.m., both suspects turned themselves in and were charged.

Michael Saliba, 21, of Knoxville, was charged with aggravated burglary, theft and employing a firearm with intent to go armed. Logan Prater, 20, of Knoxville, was charged with aggravated burglary and theft.