"Cross Dressing Bank Robber," as Well as Two Other Individuals,
Apprehended as a Result of Multi-Agency Effort

At approximately 9:40 a.m. yesterday, Shabaaka Oran Awolowo, age 27, and Arriean O'Neal Kenebrew, age 20, both of Knoxville, were arrested by the Pigeon Forge Police Department as a result of a routine traffic stop. Investigators believe suspects were planning to commit another robbery at the time of their arrest.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. today, Larry Shipe, age 25, of Knoxville was arrested, without incident, by members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.

The arrests are the result of a multi-agency effort which included the Pigeon Forge Police Department, the Maryville Police Department, the Knoxville Police Department, the Knox County Sheriff's Office, the Sevier County Sheriff's Office, the Blount County Sheriff's Office, and the Alcoa Police Department.

The suspects were arrested pursuant to a Federal complaint for Bank Robbery. Investigators believe these individuals are responsible for the following bank robberies in and around the Knoxville area:

- December 3, 2008 - BB&T Bank on Kingston Pk
- December 17, 2008 - BB&T on Northshore Dr
- December 19, 2008 - Home Federal on South Mall Rd
- December 20, 2008 - 1st Tennessee on Hardin Valley Rd
- January 14, 2009 - Y-12 Federal Credit Union W. Lamar Alexander

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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