Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Three of Mt. Juliet’s police officers, in a joint operation with the FBI, were involved in a dangerous situation today that no police officer ever wants to encounter. Our police department family is extremely grateful that our officers and the FBI Agent were not severely wounded or killed. We are so thankful for the overwhelming support from our community for our injured officer, and he is receiving the care he needs. The Metro-Nashville Police Department is conducting an extensive investigation into the officer-involved shooting and all aspects that surround it. I’m very confident in their abilities and resources. A dangerous fugitive is now in custody and has been charged for his felony assault on three of the four law enforcement officers who attempted to take him into custody early this morning. – Chief James Hambrick

Officers Identified:

The two officers who fired their handguns during today’s officer-involved shooting are Corporal Detective Frank DeRiggi (12 years of service) and Corporal Detective Derek Thornhill (3 years of service). Corporal Detective Richard Lutz (3 years of service) was the officer injured during the incident. All three officers’ photos will not be released due to their undercover assignment.

Metro-Nashville Police Media Release:

Fugitive Being Charged with Aggravated Assault for Confrontation with Mt. Juliet Officers & FBI Agent

Arrest warrants are being sought charging Robert P. Bush with three counts of felony aggravated assault against two Mt. Juliet police officers and an FBI agent for putting them in danger when he rammed their vehicles with a pickup truck at 6:30 a.m. as he evaded arrest outside HomeTowne Suites at 1210 Murfreesboro Pike.

The victims as named in the warrants, Mt. Juliet police officers Richard Lutz and Derek Thornhill, and FBI Agent Carla Rexing, were attempting to take Bush, 23, into custody on outstanding warrants from Wilson, Sumner and Davidson Counties, as well as question him concerning an unrelated investigation.  Mt. Juliet police officer Frank DeRiggi was also present.  As three law enforcement vehicles attempted to box in Bush’s pickup truck to prevent him from fleeing, he rammed two of the vehicles just as three of the law enforcement personnel had gotten out.  Two of the Mt. Juliet officers opened fire on the pickup truck.  Neither Bush nor his passenger was hit.  Bush drove around the motel, let the passenger out (he is considered to be a witness and is not facing charges), and fled the motel property.

Just after 7 a.m., a Hermitage Precinct officer spotted the pickup truck and pursued it on Bell Road.  A spike strip was deployed on Bell Road near Stewarts Ferry Pike damaging the truck’s tires.  Bush continued driving on Stewarts Ferry Pike and turned right onto Lebanon Pike where, soon thereafter, he crashed.  Bush was taken to General Hospital for minor injuries he sustained in the crash.

In addition to aggravated assault, Bush is being charged with felony evading arrest, driving on a suspended license, and vandalism for his actions today.  He was also booked on outstanding warrants charging him with evading arrest in July, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license and failure to appear in court.

The MNPD’s centralized Homicide Unit is investigating the Mt. Juliet officers’ gunfire at Bush’s pickup truck.  The results of that investigation will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.

 

Video of the Media Briefing from the Shooting Scene:

Link to video: https://www.facebook.com/MtJulietPolice/videos/244560902879582/ .

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Halloween is usually a busy night for everyone, young and old, but safety should be a top priority. Thousands of costumed children will take to Mt. Juliet streets looking for treats, and parents should make sure their little ones are safe by following simple safety precautions. The night is usually busier for Mt. Juliet Police officers due to the increased activity in the community, and the department is making a safety a top priority by increasing patrol staff levels for the evening. Officers on patrol will be equipped with glow bracelets and glow sticks for children to promote their visibility as pedestrians. Also, glow bracelets can be obtained for free at police headquarters, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., until Halloween.

Trick-or-treating will be observed in Mt. Juliet on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. The Mt. Juliet Police Department recommends trick-or-treating to start at 5:00 p.m. and to stop by 9:00 p.m.

Through the afternoon and night, patrol staff levels and presence in neighborhoods will be increased. However, police need the help of residents so Mt. Juliet’s streets can be as safe as possible. Any unsafe mischief or driving behavior should be reported to the police department immediately so it can be stopped. Also, police will be monitoring parking on city streets. Visitors and residents should be mindful of where they park, so the roadway is not blocked.

Children are twice more likely to be in a fatal pedestrian accident on Halloween than any other day of the year, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Parents should make sure their child’s costume is visible at night to motorists. There are several reasons why children are more likely to be hurt in pedestrian accidents, which include:

• They often choose to take the shortest route, which may mean darting out between parked cars then take the safer route of crossing at corners.
• They’re poor at evaluating potential traffic threats.
• They’re more likely to disregard their peripheral vision and are less attentive of their street surroundings.
• They have a tendency to believe they’re indestructible and are more likely to take risks.
• They need to be told that some people driving cars will not slow down for them.
• They can’t cross streets as rapidly as adults.
• They may be distracted by other children’s costumes, behaviors, and home decorations.

In addition, to Mt. Juliet Police Department’s proactive patrols in the neighborhoods, officers will also be out monitoring sex offenders on Halloween. Under Tennessee law, any sex offender on parole or probation may not take part in any Halloween activity involving children. This would include leaving a porch light on, answering the door, or distributing candy. Parents may use the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s website at http://www.tbi.tn.gov/ .

From everyone at Mt. Juliet Police, we wish you a safe Halloween. The department can be contacted at (615) 754-2550 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency) to report any problems, observations, or safety concerns.

A list of Halloween Health and Safety Tips can be viewed here: http://www.safekids.org/halloween .

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Nashville & Eastern Railroad is scheduled to close all lanes of S. Greenhill Road near W. Division Street this Saturday, October 13 through Monday, October 15 afternoon to perform track and crossing repairs.

The roadway will be completely closed, and motorists will have to access S. Greenhill Road from Lebanon Road.

Crews will replace the rails and crossing tiles at the tracks, which will hopefully reduce the bump when crossing the tracks.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives continue to work hard and pursue leads in an incident where a shooter shot from a vehicle towards a home. On Wednesday, October 3, 2018, around 8:00 p.m., an unknown shooter shot from a vehicle, specifically targeting a home in the 1600 block of Alsdale Road. No other homes were targeted, and detectives believe it is an isolated incident. Thankfully, no one was injured, as a result of the few gunshots fired towards the home.

Detectives responded to the scene to gather evidence in hopes of leading them to the suspect(s). Residents in the area of Alsdale Road, Stone Hill Road, and Belinda Parkway are encouraged to view any outdoor surveillance footage they may have to see if any suspects were spotted. The suspect vehicle was described as a newer-model, white Toyota Land Cruiser or large SUV.

Anyone with any information about 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. – A man, wanted out of North Carolina for kidnapping, strangulation, and other domestic-related offenses, was discovered after a motorist assist this afternoon. Around 9:00 a.m. this morning, an officer assisted a motorist, whose car broke down, on Interstate 40. The motorist, identified as 40-year-old Charles Guin, Jr. of Selma, North Carolina, requested to be dropped off at Walmart.

Later around 2:00 p.m. the department received a delayed notification that Guin was wanted by the Pine Level, NC Police Department. Officers began to search for him at Walmart, and he was located walking through the parking lot.

Guin was arrested and transported to the Wilson County Jail, where he is awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.

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Update: Female was located at a hospital in Nashville and undergoing a mental health evaluation. Detectives determined that there was no foul play involved.

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – After receiving credible information from a person who was concerned that a female was possibly being held against her will and involved in a domestic-related incident at an apartment in Lifestyles community, a search warrant was executed at an apartment in hopes of finding the female. Around 8:15 p.m. on Friday, September 14, officers were summoned to an apartment in the 100 block of Ashton Avenue to investigate a domestic-related incident.

It was extremely important to officers to ensure that a female, who could be inside the apartment, was not harmed, which required them to get inside. Ultimately, a search warrant was obtained, and executed by the department’s Special Response Team.

Unfortunately, the female was not located. Detectives are working all available angles in hopes of finding her, and they continue to investigate. Identification will not be released at this time while detectives pursue leads. 

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – An officer spotted a stolen vehicle, involved in an armed robbery in Antioch, and pursued it into Nashville. The vehicle description, a dark-colored Chevrolet Cobalt occupied by four teenagers armed with rifles and wearing masks, was relayed to Mt. Juliet Police communications by Metro-Nashville Police to be on the lookout. Around midnight, an officer spotted the vehicle in the Century of Providence apartment complex and attempted to stop it.

The pursuit was discontinued on Patricia Drive, near Briley Parkway and Interstate 40, after the pursuing officer lost contact due to high speeds. The vehicle was later located nearby and abandoned. The occupants were not located.

“I’m grateful that our officers spotted the suspects prior to them being able to commit a serious crime in our city. It is obvious that they were dangerous individuals,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “Criminals do not recognize the invisible city limit lines, and it is important for all of us to stay vigilant- especially late at night when the majority of these crimes are being committed by armed teenagers across the Metro-Nashville region.”

The department continues to meet and share information with surrounding police departments, including the Metro-Nashville Police Department, about this recent trend. Residents are always urged to report suspicious activity, lock their car, remove any valuables, and be mindful of their surroundings late at night and into the early morning hours.

Anyone with any information about 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. – A 15-year-old is in custody after being found in a car that was just stolen from a woman in Hermitage. Around 8:15 p.m. tonight, Mt. Juliet police dispatch was called by a victim who just had her car taken while she was at a laundromat near Lebanon Pike and Central Pike in Hermitage. While away from the car, it was left running and unlocked. The victim was tracking the vehicle by GPS, and it was showing a place in the Providence area. Officers found the 2014 Ford Fusion at Mapco, 194 S. Mt. Juliet Road, and attempted to stop it when it became stuck on a curb.

Two suspects ran from the car, and a 15-year-old male from Hermitage was taken into custody. The passenger, a black male in his teens, was not caught. He was last known to be wearing a black shirt and plaid cargo shorts.

The 15-year-old was transported to Wilson County Youth Services for processing.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives are concerned about the whereabouts of a missing man, and police are hoping to find him safe. 29-year-old Dace Martinez has not been heard from since Saturday, August 25, 2018, and is missing from the West Division Street area in Mt. Juliet near the Davison County line.

Martinez left his residence without his mobile phone, cash, or extra clothing, which is suspicious. It is unknown what Martinez was wearing when he left, but he is a Hispanic male, 6’1″ tall, and weighs around 140 pounds.

If anyone has any information about the whereabouts of Dace Martinez, they are urged 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. – One teen, responsible for a carjacking of a man at Exxon recently, is in custody after a community member spotted the surveillance video on a social media post. Around 2:30 a.m. on August 21, 2018, a 39-year-old man was approached by three teenagers while he was pumping gas at Exxon, at 125 N. Mt. Juliet Road. Video of the carjacking incident and suspects using the victim’s credit card was shared with the community, which resulted in a positive identification of one suspect.

18-year-old Patrick Smith of Nashville was identified, and he was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail under a $75,000 bond, charged with Aggravated Robbery. Detectives continue to investigate this incident and follow leads to apprehend others responsible.

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