Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Officers quickly caught up to two men, who ran from an officer that just witnessed them push out a shopping cart full of stolen merchandise. On Monday, February 18, 2019, around 7:50 p.m. an officer observed a suspicious car parked illegally at Walmart. As the officer was about to check-out with the occupants, two men were spotted running with a shopping cart of about $350.00 worth of stolen merchandise towards the car. The officer told them all to stop, and both men took off running toward a wooded area behind Walmart. The officer gave chase, and more officers arrived in the area to help. Once found hiding in the wooded area, both men complied and were arrested without further incident. It is unclear who was in the suspicious car because they quickly sped away and were not located.

29-year-old Marcus White, of Goodlettsville, and 32-year-old Trevaughn Hunter, of Nashville, were arrested. Since both had complaints of being out of breath, officers called medics to the scene to be sure both were not injured. Officers were also concerned with the condition of Hunter’s eye, and Hunter told officers it was due to a previous stabbing incident some time ago.

Both were booked into the Wilson County Jail, charged with Resisting Stop and Theft of Merchandise.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Relentless detectives and great partnerships with Metro-Nashville Police led to the quick apprehension of four suspects who were responsible for robbing a cell phone store. Around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, three masked suspects entered Sprint, at 600 S. Mt. Juliet Road, to rob and steal cell phones and cash. One of the suspects was armed, and all demanded new cell phones and cash from the safe.

Once the robbery was apparent, the department aggressively began to investigate it to find those responsible. Detectives worked with Metro-Nashville Police Department’s Juvenile Crime Task Force, and through collaborative efforts, the suspects were identified. Within four hours of the robbery, detectives had all four suspects in custody.

Further investigation revealed the suspects used a Kia Forte, stolen out of Nashville, for their transportation to Mt. Juliet. The 15-year-old involved was the gunman. Thankfully, no one was injured in this incident.

An adult, 18-year-old An’via Blakely of Nashville, was arrested along with three male juveniles- a 15, 16, & 17-year-old. All were charged with Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Kidnapping x 2, and Theft Over $10,000.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – When local Boy Scout Troop 1204 had their equipment trailer stolen, they were left with zero camping supplies. Mt. Juliet Police Sergeant Cory Cook heard about the theft that occurred in early November and began to think of ways the department could help the troop replace their trailer and camping equipment. So, he contacted Boy Scout Troop 911 to organize a service project at the department’s firearms training facility, and the scouts were able to collect over 2,200 pounds of brass ammunition shells. Those shells were swapped for cash, and it brought in $2,800 for Troop 911, who donated the proceeds to Troop 1204 to help cover the loss of the trailer.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for Sgt. Cook’s initiative and community involvement that truly benefitted many people,” stated Boy Scout Mom Rachel Underwood. “Because of Sgt. Cook’s ideas and actions, embodied the Scout Law and Oath, he was awarded a plaque from the BSA Hermitage District on behalf of Troops 911, 1204, and 263 at the Leader’s Round Table Meeting.”

Sergeant Cook was recognized by the Boy Scout Troops this week for his efforts in assisting the troop in replacing their equipment trailer and camping supplies.

 

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The community will likely see some Mt. Juliet Police officers wearing a different style uniform. The department is testing a modern approach to a police uniform, and one that has greater advantages and options that cannot be ignored. The uniform transitions an officer’s ballistic vest to the outside of their shirt and is load-bearing, which will give relief to their waist because the equipment will be attached to the vest. Traditional, heavier duty belts typically lead to back injuries after many years of service. In a recent university research study, it was determined that officers who carry their equipment on vests rather than duty belts experience much less hip and back pain. This style of uniform will also provide better relief from hot temperatures in the Summer, better identification of officers, and officers will be able to carry additional life-saving equipment such as tourniquets and bleeding control products.

“Our officers’ health and well-being are so important, and we have reviewed research that load-bearing vests are a safe and healthier alternative to the outdated, traditional uniform. It is research we cannot ignore,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “During the test phase, the department’s goal is to make sure that transitioning to the load-bearing vests is the right step to take for our officers and community.”

The information on the uniform study can be obtained from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, here: Load-Bearing Vest Study.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Passing a note and demanding cash, an unknown man robbed the US Bank today. Around 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 officers rushed to the bank, at 300 Pleasant Grove Road, after receiving a 911 call from an employee about a robbery. The suspect fled the bank area on foot, and he was not located after a comprehensive search. It is believed that a getaway vehicle was nearby.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect entered the bank and walked up to the front counter. He slid a note over to a bank employee, which had a message demanding cash. After retrieving an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect ran out of the bank, but his whereabouts after that is unknown. Detectives with Mt. Juliet’s Criminal Investigative Division and Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation. Time was spent in hopes of gathering evidence to lead them to the suspect.

The suspect is described as a white male with a medium build, who is possibly in his 40’s or 50’s. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a ball cap, black jacket, white shirt, and blue jeans.

No one was injured during this incident. The suspect matches the description of a man who robbed a bank in Johnson City, Tennessee and Asheville, North Carolina. It is likely that the suspect is targeting banks along the interstate corridors.

The last bank robbery reported in Mt. Juliet was in November of 2015.

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/. The FBI’s Memphis Field Office can also be reached at (901) 747-4300 or online at tips.fbi.gov.

(Photo Credits: Mark Bellew)

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Two Mt. Juliet police officers recently completed a three-part Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) program, which led to Lieutenant Jason Brockman and Sergeant Tommy Shelton received the Trilogy Leadership Institute Award.

FBI-LEEDA states their mission is “to advance the science and art of law enforcement leadership and promote the exchange of information to improve law enforcement management practices through training, education, and networking among police professionals across the United States and beyond.”

“Lt. Brockman and Sgt. Shelton sought to carry out their goal of obtaining the Trilogy Leadership Award,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “I’m proud of their effort and desire to further their knowledge to better serve our community.”

In June, August, and October of 2018, the Murfreesboro Police Department hosted the FBI Leadership Institute, and Brockman and Shelton traveled to take part in the excellent leadership academy. Those who successfully complete the Supervisor, Command, and Executive Leadership Institute programs receive the Trilogy Leadership Award.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Police officers were summoned to a daycare in the 80 block of S. Greenhill Road to investigate a car burglary on December 12, 2018, around 4:00 p.m. During the burglary, the thief(s) busted a window and stole a purse that was left in plain view. Credit cards, from the victim’s purse, were used within 20 minutes of the theft at a Kroger in Mt. Juliet.
Investigators were able to get surveillance video that recorded two suspects using the victim’s credit card. They later attempted to use the victim’s cards at a Kroger in Lebanon.

It was likely that the thieves specifically targeted the location because it is common for purses to be left in a vehicle. Thieves commonly frequent gyms, daycare centers, yoga studios, and gymnastic businesses in search of easy targets. Many times, vehicle burglary is a crime of opportunity that can be prevented if there is no opportunity for the thief to steal. Mt. Juliet Police encourage everyone, in all circumstances, to never leave items of value in plain view or their vehicle unlocked.

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. – Detectives are investigating a robbery, where a group of teens ordered an 18-year-old man to hand over his keys and wallet while one pointed an AR15-style rifle at him. On Sunday, December 30, 2018, around 5:25 p.m., multiple officers quickly responded to the parking lot of Providence 14 theater, at 401 S. Mt. Juliet Road, after a carjacking had just occurred. Detectives determined that 5 teens, traveling in a gray Infiniti SUV, robbed an 18-year-old victim of his 2018 Dodge Charger. As the victim exited his car, the suspects quickly approached in the SUV, and three Hispanic male teens exited the vehicle. One of the teens was armed with a rifle and pointed it at the victim while they ordered him to hand over his keys and wallet. After the robbery, the suspects fled the area in both cars.

Further investigation revealed that the suspects apparently spotted the victim’s car until it was parked and waited in the parking lot until the victim exited the vehicle. No indication led detectives to believe that the victim knew the suspects. Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident.

The car that was stolen is a hunter green, Daytona edition, 2018 Dodge Charger, and the original suspects’ vehicle is likely a gray Infiniti QX60 or similar SUV.

This incident is the 8th robbery and 46th stolen car report in Mt. Juliet for 2018. In 2017, there were 11 robberies and 52 stolen cars reported.

If anyone has a feeling that they possibly know the suspects responsible for this crime, they are 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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