Sevierville police searching for 'Pillowcase Bandits'

Sevierville police searching for 'Pillowcase Bandits'

By JILL MCNEAL
6 News Anchor/Reporter

SEVIERVILLE (WATE) - Police in Sevierville need your help tracking down the "Pillowcase Bandits."

Investigators have seen a dramatic increase recently in a certain type of daylight home burglary and they think they know why.

"They invaded our privacy, came into our home, and took things that were ours," said victim Darlene Murrell.

Like, "My engagement ring that he had given me 47 years ago."

She and her husband were only gone a few hours Tuesday around lunch time. 

After talking to police, she now knows how they smuggled the jewelry out her house.

"They took a pillowcase off of the one pillows. They actually took it off, they propped it back up on the bed and put the pillow sham up in front of it," she said.

"We've been jokingly calling them the "Pillowcase Bandits," said Sevierville Detective Lt. Sam Hinson.

But in all seriousness, he says, the bold burglars need to be stopped, and soon.

"In July alone we've had 26 home break-ins, which is astronomical for Sevierville," he said. "Normal would be maybe two or three."

Because the crime scenes are so similar, Hinson believes it's the same burglars, a man and a woman.

"They're approaching during the day, kicking in the door if no one is home, and they will actually take a pillowcase from that victim's bed and put the merchandise in that," he said. "They're probably in and out in minutes, if that."

He doesn't have any suspects yet.

"They're not leaving any forensic evidence for the detectives to be able to collect," he said. "They're probably wearing gloves."

But he does have a motive.

"We feel like the merchandise is being swapped for prescription pills," he said.

He's asking neighbors to be on high alert.

"At some point they're going to slip up and get caught," Hinson said. "I want to put them in jail. It's where they belong."

Sevierville police say the burglars may ring your doorbell and pretend to try to sell you something. If you don't answer, that's when they strike.

Police suggest leaving a radio on when you're not home, asking a trusted neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers if you're away and keeping your yard neat to indicate an occupied home.

Report descriptions of suspicious people and vehicles, including license plates, to 865-868-1751.