Loudon Co, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – A drug raid near an elementary school in Lenoir City ended with a barricaded suspect being arrested after SWAT officers found him hiding in a crawl space.
Investigators with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit, SWAT Team, K9 Unit and patrol division, along with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team, executed a search warrant Saturday at a residence on Highland Park Drive.
Sheriff Jimmy Davis said investigators knew Caiden Hall was inside the residence and that he had an active arrest warrant.
According to authorities, Hall attempted to flee when SWAT vehicles arrived, jumping from a rear window of the home. After spotting K9 units securing the perimeter, investigators said he went back inside and barricaded himself in a crawl space.
When Hall ignored repeated commands to surrender, SWAT officers entered the home’s loft area, located him in the crawl space and took him into custody without further incident.
During the search, investigators recovered nearly an ounce of methamphetamine, along with scales, syringes, packaging materials and a meth pipe.
The residence is located near Highland Park Elementary School. Sheriff Davis said keeping drugs away from school areas remains a top priority. However, officials noted the home was just outside the distance required to qualify for enhanced penalties under Tennessee’s drug-free school zone laws.
“We will continue to pursue those who bring illegal drugs into our community and hold them accountable,” Davis said. “Our children deserve to grow up and go to school in a safe environment.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
