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Man Irate Over Error In Furniture Order Kidnaps Deliverymen

Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thomas Gunn
Thomas Gunn

Chattanooga Police said a 76-year-old man who became irate over a furniture order took two deliverymen hostage at gunpoint.

Thomas Gunn is facing charges of aggravated assault, kidnapping and carrying an unlawful weapon.

Police said two deliverymen were taken by Gunn on Saturday around 4 p.m. to Hamilton Place Mall to sort out the issue over his furniture order being incomplete.

Police were originally called to 3009 St. Paul St. and advised of a possible hostage incident at Hamilton Place Mall. Officers were sent to the mall where they located a black Ford Escape with three men inside.

Police spoke to the victims, Jovany Descene and Joseph Manning, who advised that they work for Xogistix and that their company is contracted by "Select Comfort" at Hamilton Place to deliver their products.

They said they were delivering furniture to Gunn’s home when it was discovered that Select Comfort made an error with his order which caused him to become irate. He then retrieved a silver handgun from a desk drawer and told them to drive him to the mall to speak to the manager at Select Comfort.

The men then drove him to the mall where they were stopped by police before entering the mall.

Responding officers located a handgun near Gunn and arrested him.



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