The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Northwest Knox County pawn shop for selling stolen merchandise. 58-year-old Timothy Duke Gard and his son, 35-year-old Matthew Keith Gard, who own Big Orange Pawn and Loan, have been arrested and charged with felony theft. Each will be held in the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility on a $15,000 bond.
The KCSO Retail Theft Unit started the investigation in conjunction with many Knoxville retailers who identified shoplifters and what they were stealing. According to KCSO Chief Lee Tramel, most of the shoplifters are opiate addicts who are selling the stolen items to support their habits. “We are using an all hands aboard approach,” said Tramel. “We have partnered with a number of law enforcement agencies and retailers to attack this problem from every angle.” The Chief said there are potentially tens of thousands of dollars of stolen goods that were sold for pennies on the dollar.
KCSO executed two more warrants at two other locations associated with the pawn shop, including Matthew Gard’s home, located at 5517 Timbercrest Trail, and Cumberland Estates Mini Storage, located at 5911 Western Avenue. Officers are expected to be at the pawn shop for several days cataloging thousands of items. Chief Tramel said that the items were anything of any value that could be stolen from area retail stores.
The Knoxville Police Department, ATF, Homeland Security, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue are assisting in the ongoing investigation. The retailers that have partnered with KCSO are Kroger, Academy Sports, Ulta, Marshall’s, Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, PetSmart, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
While officers brought items out of the business to be tagged, a theft suspect showed up across the street and was arrested for felony theft. He was identified as 63-year-old Anthony Richard Guida of Knoxville. He will be held in the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility on a $3,000 bond. Mug shots unavailable at this time. Investigations continue.
Timothy Duke Gard
Matthew Keith Gard
Isn’t this the brother in law of one of this counties “campaign managers” you know the same one who’s husband was accessing confidential sheriffs department files. Was he also looking out for his sisters husband? Does this dirty cop have more than just a sexual assault case he looked into ? 🤔