KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A man faces an aggravated assault charge after a store manager reported being threatened with a gun, the Knoxville Police Department said.
Around 1 p.m. Monday, KPD officers went to the Dollar General on Elm Street after receiving a report of a theft and aggravated assault. The store’s manager told them that a man, later identified as Johnny Carson, 42, filled a basket with $400 worth of laundry pod containers then went out the emergency door. They said when they confronted Carson, he revealed a handgun in his waistband and threatened them before loading the stolen items into a waiting vehicle and fleeing.
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After an investigation, officers tracked down the vehicle with Carson and a woman inside, KPD said. After searching the vehicle, the officers found a backpack with a loaded gun, according to police.
The department added that Carson was wearing the same clothes as he was during the reported theft. He also had multiple prior felony convictions.
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In addition to the aggravated assault charge, Carson faces two charges of theft and one of felon in possession of a firearm. The woman in the car with him faces charges of driving on a revoked license…