Kevin Andrew Beets, Ulysses Van Keys
Two Union County men are now facing federal charges in a weekend pharmacy robbery. They were caught after wrecking their car while trying to evade police.
A federal grand jury returned a two count indictment on Tuesday against Kevin Andrew Beets, 29, and Ulysses Van Keys, 30, both of Corryton, for armed pharmacy robbery.
If convicted, Beets and Keys face a term of up to 20 years in prison for the pharmacy robbery and an additional minimum mandatory of seven years and up to life for using and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office says one of the men pointed a shotgun at the clerk and threatened to shoot him "if he pushed any buttons."
After the two fled the scene, they wrecked on Fountain City Road at Rifle Range. KCSO says Keys was trapped in the vehicle while Beets ran on foot. Beets was tracked down by a Knoxville Police Department K-9 and arrested. The shotgun and stolen medication were found in the car.
Both suspects were taken to U.T. Medical Center for treatment after the accident. Beets was treated and released, but Keys remains in the hospital. Keys has a lengthy criminal in Knox County involving drug charges.
The investigation was conducted by the Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of the Knoxville office of the FBI, the Knoxville Police Department, and the KCSO
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Two suspects were transported to UT Medical Center after they allegedly robbed a CVS on East Emory Road around 3:40 this morning.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office said the two male suspects are accused of showing the pharmacist a weapon and then demanding prescription pills. Authorities said they fled the scene with the narcotics.
Deputies said they spotted the suspect's car traveling at high speeds while fleeing the scene. In a pursuit, officers said the suspects wrecked their car on Fountain City Road at Rifle Range Drive.
After the crash, investigators said one suspect was trapped in the car. The other fled on foot. Authorities said an officer with a K-9 tracked the suspect and arrested him.
The Knox County Sheriffs Office, the FBI, and the City of Knoxville Police Department are investigating this armed robbery.