Two Women Assaulted at Springfield Walmart, Suspect Arrested
SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) — On Saturday morning, at 7:39 a.m., Springfield Police responded to a report of an assault at the Wal-Mart located at 3360 Tom Austin Highway. Upon arrival, officers encountered one of two alleged victims at the Customer Service desk, who reported that a man had assaulted her.
According to a police report of the incident obtained by Smokey Barn News, the first victim told police that a tall white male, later identified as 55-year-old Jeffrey Tankersley, approached her from behind and allegedly grabbed her waist and breasts. She stated that she managed to escape and screamed for help. Another customer assisted her in reaching the front of the store for safety. The first victim told police that she did not know Tankersley, the report stated.
While officers were on the scene, another incident involving Mr. Tankersley was reported. A Wal-Mart employee in the Automotive section reported being grabbed from behind by Mr. Tankersley. The employee was able to pull away and shouted for assistance. Mr. Tankersley then attempted to leave the Automotive section but was unable to exit as the door was locked.
According to the report, as Mr. Tankersley tried to exit the store through the grocery section, he was detained by Wal-Mart employees. Springfield Police reviewed surveillance footage in Wal-Mart’s Loss Prevention office, which, according to the report, confirmed the incidents.
During a search of Mr. Tankersley’s person, officers discovered a glass pipe with burnt residue in his left front pants pocket and a plastic bag containing a white crystal substance identified as methamphetamine in his right pocket. The substance weighed approximately 22 grams.
Mr. Tankersley was arrested and transported to the Robertson County Detention Facility. He was charged with the following offenses:
•Sexual Battery
•Assault
•Manufacture/Delivery/Sale or Possession of Meth
•Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Mr. Tankersley was served warrants and issued a barring notice prohibiting him from entering the Springfield Wal-Mart. His court date is set for March 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Tankersley is being held at the Robertson County Detention Facility in Springfield under a $91,500 bond. As of 7 pm December 27, Tankersley was still incarcerated.
Photographs of the recovered substance and paraphernalia were submitted for analysis by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The case remains under investigation.
Smokey Barn News reached out to the City of Springfield for comment, but they declined to provide details beyond confirming an arrest was made.
