Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – An adult male and female were arrested yesterday after crashing a stolen truck into a guardrail and running away. Around 8:00 p.m. yesterday, an officer attempted to stop a Ford pick-up after the vehicle’s registration plate did not match. The truck failed to stop, and the officer did not pursue it. Moments later, officers spotted the same truck turning down a dead-end roadway and attempted to stop it again. During that interaction, the driver almost struck a patrol vehicle.

In an attempt to stop the dangerous driver, officers deployed spike strips to deflate the truck’s tires and were successful. The truck crashed into a guardrail at Mt. Juliet Road and Interstate 40, which led to both occupants running from the vehicle into a wooded area. The adult female passenger, 33-year-old Cassie Spann of White Bluff, was apprehended behind the Shell gas station. The adult male driver, 34-year-old Jonathon Clark of Dickson, ran to the Comfort Suites hotel, and he was arrested while attempting to hide behind an ice machine.

Further investigation revealed that the Ford pick-up was stolen from Houston County, TN on 7/16/2020. In addition, various needles were located in the truck, and Clark was driving on a revoked driver’s license and wanted out of Dickson County.

Jonathon Clark, 34, of Dickson

Clark was charged with Reckless Endangerment, Felony Evading, Theft of Property, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving on a Revoked Driver’s License.

Cassie Spann, 33, of White Bluff

Spann was charged with Misdemeanor Evading and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Both were booked into the Wilson County Jail.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Officers are prepared for Wilson County School students to head back to school next week, and the department’s traffic safety focus in school zones will begin. Every school year, extra attention is provided by officers in school zones and bus stop locations to ensure everyone is operating their vehicle safely. This attention will continue throughout the school year. In addition to the reduced speed limits in school zones, officers will focus on handheld phone use, school bus stop-arm, seat belt, and child passenger safety laws.

“The Mt. Juliet community will experience a different dynamic we are not familiar with. Mt. Juliet Middle School will support students from the tornado-destroyed Stoner Creek Elementary and West Wilson Middle School. Also, Green Hill High School is brand new, and that school will be accommodating additional students until both destroyed schools are rebuilt,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “Members of the Command Staff will be monitoring the different dynamics, and we are prepared to adjust resources and plans to accommodate the change. I ask that our community members familiarize themselves with the change, so we can ensure our new school zones are safe.”

Today, Chief James Hambrick, along with fellow staff members, reviewed and toured Green Hill High School with Principal Kevin Dawson and Wilson County School’s Safety Director Steve Spencer. The new school zone for the new high school was also reviewed. In addition to the department’s strong relationship with school leadership, the department continues to maintain an open line of communication with crossing guards so they can easily report unsafe drivers or any other safety issues within the city limits.

Along with unmarked traffic officers being deployed to school zones, digital radar speed signs will be placed to raise awareness. Mt. Juliet Police have four digital speed signs that display the speed of cars and visually warn drivers if they drive above the speed limit.

To ensure our school zones are safe this school year, Mt. Juliet Police offer the following suggestions:

• Parents are encouraged to visit their child’s school website to become familiar with the traffic plans for drop-off and pick-up at each school. Wilson County School’s website is http://www.wcschools.com/.
• Give yourself plenty of time in the morning! As traffic volumes and congestion on the roadways increase, so does the length of time it takes to travel to your destination. Giving yourself more time by leaving earlier to reduces stress, increases your awareness, and improve your driving.
• Obey the posted speed limit signs and directional signs, including marked curbs. Signs and curb markings assist in the traffic flow into and out of the schools and assist in the safety of the students who walk and bike to school. One misplaced car can disrupt the traffic flow and the safety of our students.
• Be patient! Impatience leads to aggressive driving, rude or unwarranted behavior, pedestrian and bicycle collisions, and it creates traffic gridlock. Remember, everyone has the same goal: to get our children safely to and from school. Also remember, the habits you exhibit in your driving and demeanor are typically passed on to your children when they start driving.
• If you drive your children to school, have them ready to leave the car, with all of their belongings, when you come to a stop at the school. Backups and delays are caused when children have to get their backpacks and other items from the trunk or back seat of a car. Explore other alternatives such as carpool, ride-sharing, walking, or biking to school.
• Watch and obey the school crossing guards. Crossing guards are provided to assist with school traffic and the safe crossing of your students across the surrounding streets near each elementary school. Be on the lookout, be prepared to stop, and be ready to follow their directions so our children can safely get to and from school.

Stopping for a School Bus Law:

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives determined a social media post and suspect photo placed on Facebook about a robbery incident at a Nonaville Road Market was not entirely factual. This afternoon, Detectives proactively responded to a market on Nonaville Road to investigate a post on social media about a robbery occurring. A victim never called police about any such incident, and detectives were concerned a possible robbery was not receiving the necessary attention. The post claimed the market was robbed on July 15, 2020 and contained a clear photo of a possible suspect.

Further investigation revealed that the person in the photo was not a suspect, and a robbery did not occur. There was a shoplifting incident where approximately $4.00 of alcohol was stolen. The person, whose photo was placed in the social media post, was in the store at the time of the shoplifting, but they are not considered a suspect. Detectives were able to identify the actual suspect of the shoplifting, but market owners did not want to prosecute.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Police Department supports and encourages everyone to wear a mask or face covering as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. As an alternative to issuing a citation to those not in compliance with the Wilson County mask mandate, officers will continue to educate and provide masks to community members. The mask mandate order, issued by Wilson County Mayor Hutto, is active at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2020.

“I want to see full compliance with Mayor Hutto’s order so we can contain the virus as soon as possible,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick. “From the onset of this pandemic, we have focused on educating our community about the importance of wearing a mask and taking personal safety precautions. We have obtained substantial compliance without charging business owners or community members. This model will continue, and we will issue face masks to those in need rather than issuing a citation.”

Details on Wilson County’s Mask Mandate: Wilson County Press Release Mask Mandate 7_17_2020 .

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Local law enforcement will be assisting in an escort to and from the funeral service, which will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. at World Outreach Church, at 1921 State Highway 99 in Murfreesboro. When the escort returns to Mt. Juliet for interment, the community will have an opportunity to show respect and line Mt. Juliet Road from Interstate 40 to Division Street.

The community should estimate Charlie’s return to Mt. Juliet between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., and a more exact arrival time will be shared once it is clear.

The graveside service is private and by invitation only. Law enforcement agencies assisting in the escort are the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Mt. Juliet Police Department, and Hendersonville Police Department Blue Eagles Motor Unit. The morning escort will depart Sellars Funeral Home around 8:00 a.m., but there will not be an opportunity along that route for the community to line the roadway.

Afternoon Escort Route:

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Police Department will be assisting Sellars Funeral Home with traffic and security for Charlie Daniels’ memorial services for the remainder of the week in Mt. Juliet.

• On Wednesday, a Patriotic Community Service will be held outside of Sellars Funeral Home, at 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, starting at 6:30 p.m. This event will feature honors from the military, an aircraft flyover, along with music from Trace Adkins, Tracey Lawrence, Darryl Worley, and others. The public is invited to attend.
• On Thursday, an open, public visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sellars Funeral Home, at 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road. Local law enforcement Honor Guards will perform a casket watch throughout the visitation.

During both events, Mt. Juliet Police officers and volunteers will be on hand to assist with traffic and security. The public should anticipate increased traffic around the N. Mt. Juliet Road and Division Street intersections while the events are underway.

Map of the event area and parking locations:

Local law enforcement will also be assisting in an escort to and from the funeral service, which will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. at World Outreach Church, at 1921 State Highway 99 in Murfreesboro.

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Charlie Daniels, a longtime friend and supporter of the Mt. Juliet community, will be escorted by officers to Sellars Funeral Home along Mt Juliet Rd between 2:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. today.

Those wishing to show respect to Charlie can do so and line Mt. Juliet Rd from I-40 to the railroad tracks during escort procession.

Escort Route:

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Five Mt. Juliet officers and three firefighters immediately took action to rescue a 14-year-old female from a swift, flooded creek after she was swept downstream following her rescue of an 11-year-old boy who slipped in. Around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, emergency crews rushed to the report of a child in flooded Cedar Creek, behind the 4000 block of Pisano Street.

Initial officers arrived to find the female in distress and holding on to a thin tree branch as swift water rushed around her. Without hesitation, one officer shed his ballistic vest, donned an issued personal flotation device, and entered the water. Using an issued rescue throw rope, tethered to the officer’s body, other officers held on to the officer as he swam to rescue the female. Once the officer and female were brought to shore, firefighters hoisted the female up a steep embankment to safety. Time was critical, and on-scene crews did not have the option to wait for a swift water rescue team.

While investigating the events that led up to the rescue, it was determined that the female ended up in the flooded creek because she jumped-in to rescue an 11-year-old boy who fell in. The boy was creekside when he slipped on rocks, falling into the water. The female’s mother attempted to get her daughter out of the swift water, but the daughter was swept away.

The 14-year-old female, identified as Courtney Lloyd, will be nominated for a life-saving award for her direct efforts that rescued the 11-year-old boy from the water.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives are investigating a vandalism and attempted burglary of a gun shop after burglars were not successful in their attempt to gain entry due to security measures. Yesterday morning, Officers responded to KRB Firearms II & the Range, at 9904 Lebanon Road, after holes from gunfire were located in the front door. During the early morning hours of Sunday, June 28, two suspects were captured on surveillance video attempting to gain entry, and one of those suspects shot at the front door.

Further investigation revealed that the suspects’ mode of transportation was a stolen car from Nashville that had not been reported stolen yet. Detectives tracked down the stolen car back in Nashville, and video surveillance revealed two suspects abandoned the car. One of those suspects dropped a handgun in the process.

Anyone with any information regarding this crime is encouraged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550. Information can also be given anonymously by calling (615) 754-TIPS (8477) or via the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org/.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The  Mt. Juliet Police Department is reminding residents to be careful while discharging fireworks in order to avoid injuries and noise violations as Independence Day approaches.

Fireworks are beautiful, but they can be very dangerous if they are not used safely. It is imperative that fireworks be handled with care to avoid serious burns, eye damage, and even life-threatening injuries. Premature denotation and misuse of fireworks are responsible for many burn injuries every year, which all could be avoided with proper and safe handling.  Safety should be everyone’s priority, and parents should always supervise juveniles who are using fireworks. The Mt. Juliet Police Department urges residents to be careful, follow safety precautions, and abide by city ordinances during their holiday celebrations.

In Mt. Juliet, it is unlawful to sell or use fireworks in the city limits except from June 20th through July 5th and December 10th through January 2nd. During this holiday season, fireworks cannot be discharged or used between the hours of 10:00PM – 10:00AM. In addition, fireworks cannot be sold or given to any person under the age of 18. It is permissible for juveniles to use fireworks only if a parent is supervising the activity. Failure to comply with Mt. Juliet’s City Code regulating fireworks could result in a $188.00 fine.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these common sense safety tips for using consumer fireworks in the hopes that injuries can be greatly reduced:

• Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise juveniles if they are using fireworks.
• Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
• Fireworks should only be used outdoors.
• Always have water ready if you are shooting fireworks.
• Know your fireworks. Read the caution label before igniting.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
• Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks.
• Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor garbage can.
• Avoid using homemade fireworks or illegal explosives: They can be deadly
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

And note these special safety tips, if using sparklers:

• Always remain standing while using sparklers.
• Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
• Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.
• Never throw sparklers.
• Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop spent sparklers in a bucket of water.
• Teach children not to wave sparklers, or run, while holding sparklers.

Enjoy your time with your friends and loved ones. Everyone at the Mt. Juliet Police Department wishes you a happy and safe Independence Day.

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