A routine traffic stop by Knoxville's Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) yesterday led to the arrest of 20-year-old Timir Thomas and the recovery of three firearms, including an assault-style pistol. The Knoxville Police Department took to social media to praise the CERT officers' work in the incident, which occurred on Clinton Highway.
According to the post by the Knoxville Police Department, Thomas was driving a Lexus sedan when CERT officers, out on the prowl, recognized him as someone with an outstanding warrant for felony evading arrest. The officers were able to quickly stop and detain both Thomas and his 19-year-old passenger after noting a strong smell of marijuana wafting from the vehicle.
Authorities searched the car, which yielded not only a large amount of marijuana but also three loaded firearms. Among the weapons found was an assault-style pistol, a discovery that added to the severity of charges against Thomas. The 20-year-old was slapped with possession of a weapon with the intent to go armed, as relayed by the police department's public announcement.
