A North Knoxville Taco Bell briefly locked down Thursday afternoon after police say a man walked in with a baseball bat, ran straight into the office, and, according to court papers, claimed he had a bomb. Officers responding to a panic alarm at the Merchant Drive restaurant arrested him after an attempted getaway and booked him into the Knox County jail on multiple counts.
Police: Panic Alarm, Locked Office and a Bomb Claim
Officers were called around 2:30 p.m. when a panic alarm sounded, and the suspect reportedly ran into the restaurant’s office, locked the door, and told staff, “oh, the safe is in here,” while claiming he had a bomb, according to WBIR, which reviewed the arrest warrant. The warrant, as cited by the station, says the man was carrying a baseball bat when he entered and that employees hit the alarm.
Charges and Bond
The Knox County Sheriff's Office identifies the suspect as 28-year-old Shoan Ray Labeaux and lists charges of aggravated robbery, evading arrest, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The online roster shows a bond set at $20,000 on the aggravated robbery warrant and $500 on the evading warrant, for a combined $20,500, and it includes court dates later this month.
What Officers Say They Found and How the Arrest Unfolded
Arrest paperwork cited by WBIR says officers found a knife, a gold chain, several pens and markers, and a debit card on the suspect. The same documents say the man tried to flee during the arrest, slipped on slick kitchen floors, and later kicked the patrol-car ceiling and glass partition while being placed in the vehicle.
Merchant Drive Has Seen Other Robberies
The stretch of Merchant Drive where the Taco Bell sits has been the scene of other reported robberies in recent years; WVLT reported in 2024 that police investigated two separate robberies at businesses on Merchant Drive, including one at a Subway and another at a Casey's gas station. Those earlier incidents are among several episodes that prompted police canvases and calls for tips in the area.
The investigation remains active. Labeaux is scheduled for a felony bond hearing on Feb. 20 and preliminary hearings on Feb. 26, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office, and the charges are allegations that must be proved in court.
