Serial Burglar Convicted of Crime Spree

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a career criminal who broke into multiple businesses and stole tens of thousands of dollars. Melvin Dwayne Dunn, Jr., 46, was convicted of eleven counts of Burglary, Evading Arrest, and Possession of Burglary Tools. Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on April 7.

In a three-day trial, Assistant District Attorney Phil Morton explained to the jury that from November 2014 to July 2015, Dunn committed a string of business burglaries throughout Knox County. He struck the Mellow Mushroom in Farragut, the Krystal’s on Strawberry Plains Pike, a credit union on Northshore Drive, a liquor store on Asheville Highway, a restaurant on Woodland Avenue, and six McDonald’s restaurants throughout Knox County. In many of the burglaries, Dunn would gain access to the business by breaking through exterior cinderblock walls or drive-through windows. Dunn would then remove the safe and use a maul to beat the hinges off the safe. During the course of this crime spree, Dunn stole tens of thousands of dollars from these businesses.

“For nearly three decades, this brazen, professional criminal has devoted his life to committing criminal acts as his source of livelihood,” said DA Charme Allen.”He has earned the title of career offender and has earned the lengthy sentence he now faces.”

Dunn has seventeen prior felony convictions out of four counties for Burglary, Theft, Vandalism, and Escape. At sentencing, prosecutors will ask for consecutive sentences due to the length of the defendant’s criminal history that dates back to 1990. Dunn faces twelve years for each of the eleven Burglary convictions.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.