This afternoon around 5:30PM, local media and citizens noticed a post on the social media website Facebook about a robbery that took place at the Providence 14 theater in Mt. Juliet. A robbery did not occur at the theater nor in Mt. Juliet. In addition, there have not been any recent crimes at the theater. It is our understanding that a patron at the theater sent a text message to his wife claiming he was robbed this afternoon. However, he was using figurative language and referring to his spending during the theater trip. He was not actually robbed. His wife then immediately posted on Facebook that he was robbed. Understandably, this prompted inquiries by citizens and local media regarding the factual basis of the post. Everything is fine, and no robbery took place.
Author: MJPD
Law Enforcement Memorial Service Tomorrow In Lebanon
Lebanon, Tenn. – Wilson County law enforcement is holding a memorial ceremony tomorrow, Thursday, May 9 to remember comrades who died in the line of duty. The ceremony will be held in the Honorable Judge Tatum’s Courtroom at the Wilson County Criminal Justice Center located at 105 East High Street in Lebanon, and it will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. The community is encouraged to attend the annual police memorial service to remember all Law Enforcement Officers who gave their lives in the line of duty serving the citizens of Wilson County.
Law enforcement officers are the first and last line of defense for many in our community. Nine officers have died in the line of duty in Wilson County. The most recent deaths occurred in 2003 when Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputy John Musice and Mt. Juliet Police Sergeant Jerry Mundy were killed in Mt. Juliet. Rather than run away from danger, the fallen officers chose to confront it, and they tragically gave their life to ensure our citizens remained safe.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty in the United States ever 57 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 19,000 law enforcement officers in this country have died while protecting our communities. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that falls as Police Week.
The memorial ceremony is sponsored by Wilson County’s Fraternal of Police (FOP) Lodges 71 and 83. Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick, Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan, and Lebanon Police Chief Scott Bowen will all speak at the service. A check will be presented to the Middle and East Tenn. Concerns of Police Survivors organization on behalf of both FOP Lodges and Heroes Behind the Badge.
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Mt. Juliet Police Special Response Team Successfully Ends Early-morning Standoff
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A Mt. Juliet man was arrested following an early-morning standoff with Mt. Juliet Police officers. Mt. Juliet’s Special Response Team and Crisis Negotiators were able to quickly respond and end the neighborhood standoff this morning.
On Tuesday, May 7, at about 11:45 p.m., officers with the Mt. Juliet Police Department responded to a domestic assault complaint at a home in the 200 block of Whitnell Drive. Officers arrived on the scene to find the 28-year-old male assault victim in the front yard. The initial investigation revealed that the victim’s younger brother assaulted him during an argument. When officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, identified as Jesse Gerg, 25, of Mt. Juliet, he locked himself in a bedroom. Mr. Gerg responded with foul language and refused to come out. Officers continued to attempt communication with Mr. Gerg, but it ended after Mr. Gerg stated he was armed and was going to shoot officers. After the gun threat, officers backed out and immediately surrounded the home and called for the Special Response Team.
“Our Special Response Team is comprised of dedicated, highly trained officers who are always ready to quickly respond to dangerous incidents in our neighborhoods,” stated Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick. “When a combative individual makes a poor decision and threatens to shoot police officers, he will be treated as if he is armed. The safety of our citizens is our number one priority.”
Members with the Special Response Team (SRT) and Crisis Negotiators quickly responded to the scene. Crisis Negotiators ordered the suspect several times to come outside, but Mr. Gerg failed to communicate. Hours later, SRT officers finally made contact with Mr. Gerg in the backyard of his home, but he continued to resist and refused to comply with commands to show his hands. Fearing Mr. Gerg was armed, a SRT officer deployed a less-lethal Taser device to gain control of Mr. Gerg, and he was safely taken into custody. The standoff ended around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and a firearm was not located in the home.
Jesse Gerg was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail and was charged with the following:
- Domestic Assault
- Disorderly Conduct
- Resisting Arrest
- Simple Assault
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Do You Recognize These Car Burglars?
Help Us Put Them In Jail
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Mt. Juliet Police are asking for your help in identifying a man and woman in these recently obtained surveillance photos. On 04/05/2013 the criminal couple stole credit cards and a GPS from an unlocked vehicle in the 1700 Block of Sydney Terrace in Mt. Juliet. Shortly after burglarizing the car, the couple used the stolen credit cards at a Mapco gas station at 585 Stewarts Ferry Pike in Nashville. They were seen leaving Mapco in a White or Silver 4-Door car with damage to the passenger side headlight area.
Surveillance Photos:
(Click Photo to Enlarge)Information about these burglars could put cash in your pocket by calling Mt. Juliet Police.
Anyone with any information on current investigations or ongoing crime trends 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 Police Capture Daytime Burglars
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – After dedicating investigative resources to determine who was responsible for burglarizing homes in the Clearview Estates neighborhood, Mt. Juliet Police have captured the daytime burglars. On Wednesday, April 24th, an anonymous tip led to the possible identities of the burglars after a tipster saw a local news story on Nashville’s WSMV – Channel 4 about the break-ins. Mt. Juliet Police detectives identified the possible offenders as Christopher Bly, 39, and Keaton Garner, 21, both of Nashville. They were tracked down in Tunica, Mississippi, and undercover officers from Mt. Juliet were able to locate the criminal duo’s vehicle. The vehicle, owned by Bly, matched the description of the burglary suspect vehicle perfectly. Surveillance was established on the vehicle, and the suspects were followed back from Mississippi to Nashville on Thursday, April 25th. When they arrived in Nashville, they were apprehended on an existing warrant from Coffee County, Tennessee at a home on Shauna Drive in Nashville with the assistance from Metro-Nashville Police.
“I’m honored that our Detectives and Crime Suppression Unit were able to track down these thieves who jeopardized the safety of our neighborhoods,” stated Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick, “The assistance of local media was outstanding. It enabled us to get the word out, which ultimately helped identify the offenders. Strong partnerships like this allow us to have a safer community.”
Detectives interviewed Bly and Garner regarding their involvement in the home burglaries. It was determined that they were, in fact, responsible for the residential burglaries. Witnesses in the case provided accurate descriptions of the suspects, and those descriptions matched Bly and Garner well. Detectives are now in the process of attempting to locate all of the stolen property. After the stolen items are located, it will be returned to the owners. In addition, anyone who has purchased items from Bly or Garner recently is encouraged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550.
The successful apprehension was a direct result of the community working hand-in-hand with the police department. Concerned citizens, helpful news media, and hardworking detectives all worked together to halt Bly and Garner’s burglary spree.
Christopher Bly and Keaton Garner were arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail and was charged with the following:
3 Counts of Aggravated Burglary
3 Counts of Aggravated Burglary
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Recent Daytime Home Burglaries Highlight the Need to Secure Homes
With the recent daytime home burglaries in our community, we wanted to take a few moments to remind you about the burglary basics and how to prevent a home burglary. For most people, their home is where they feel most secure. Being a victim of a home burglary can leave your family feeling vulnerable and violated. Burglars are opportunists, and they are looking for easy targets. If the risks of being caught in the act are too high, most thieves will not attempt entry. Improving the security of your residence is easier than you think. Here are some simple, common sense things you can do to protect your home.
If you see something, say something. The most important thing you can do is call the police to report a crime or suspicious activity. Our community is the eyes of the neighborhoods. Remember, you can always remain anonymous if you chose to do so. If you feel that a crime is in progress, call 911 immediately. You can also reach the Mt. Juliet Police Department’s non-emergency line at (615) 754-2550.
Home Burglary Prevention Tips:
- Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
- Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
- Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked.
- Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
- Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
- Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
- Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
- Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
- Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
Don’t Tempt a Thief:
- Lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
- Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
- Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
- Never leave notes on your door such as “Gone shopping.”
Locks…Use the Best:
- No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
- Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
- When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.
Targeting the Outside:
- Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
- Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
- Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.
Windows:
- Most windows can be pinned for security.
- Drill a 3/16″ hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame – place a nail in the hole to secure the window.
Alarms:
- An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
- Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.
- If you have a home alarm system, use it! Activate your alarm system — Alarm systems are only useful when you remember to activate them.
- Many individuals have alarm systems but do not arm them because it is inconvenient. Many burglars know this and will not be deterred by a window sticker or sign indicating that the home has an alarm system.
If Your Home Is Broken Into:
If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:
- Do not enter – the perpetrator may still be inside.
- Use a cell phone or neighbor’s phone to call police.
- Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
- Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
- Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.
Other precautions you should take:
- Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places — burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
- Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
- Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
- Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number with an engraver. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
- Consider installing a burglar alarm system.
Car Burglaries
Tips on how to avoid car break-ins:
- Do not leave valuables in plain view: (GPS devices, lap tops, IPods, cell phones, MP3’s, wallets, purses)
- Do not leave windows or sunroof open.
- Do not leave doors unlocked.
- Do not leave keys in the vehicle.
- Do not leave the garage door opener in plain view.
- Do not leave out items with personal information.
- Do not move valuable items to the trunk while in public view.
- Slow Down and use common sense before you leave your car.
Mt. Juliet Doors Kicked-In and Homes Burglarized in Broad Daylight
Case: 13-10379, 13-10383, 13-11023
Date: April 11 & April 18, 2013
Time: Daytime Location: Clearview Dr, Longview Ct, & Weston Dr
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Residential burglaries have been a common occurrence in a Mt. Juliet neighborhood recently. The Clearview Estates neighborhood has had three residential burglaries, which have all occurred on Thursdays. The three different homeowners have come home to their doors kicked-in and homes ransacked. Cash, Jewelry, firearms, and narcotics were all reported stolen.
The first two burglaries occurred on Thursday, April 11th. A Longview Court homeowner arrived home to find the back door to his garage kicked-in. It was obvious that someone entered the home and looked through belongings. Multiple items of jewelry, a handgun, and cash were all taken from the residence. In addition, a home on Clearview Drive was burglarized with the same method. Three firearms, cash, and narcotics were stolen. The most recent burglary occurred on Thursday, April 18th. A Weston Drive homeowner came back home, after only being gone a few hours, to find her door was kicked-in. Jewelry, cash, and narcotics were also taken from that home.
“I am very concerned that this activity is taking place in broad daylight in our neighborhoods,” stated Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick, “The watchful eyes of our community will help us stop the criminals who are jeopardizing our quality of life.”
The burglaries are occurring during the day while residents are away from their homes. Through witness statements, it is believed that the offenders are knocking on doors prior to breaking-in to determine if homeowners are at home or not. When they find a home that looks empty, they kick the door and steal anything of value that is easy to carry out quickly. It is very possible that residents, who stay home during the day, have encountered the suspects knocking on their front door. The Mt. Juliet Police Department urges anyone who has witnessed or sees anything suspicious to call immediately. The suspect who was checking to see if residents were home is possibly a white female in her middle 20’s. She was described as being 5’8” – 5’10” tall, weighing around 115lbs, having Dark Hair, and Brown Eyes. A possible suspect vehicle was described as a silver, small two-door car similar to a Nissan 350z.
Anyone with any information on current investigations or ongoing crime trends 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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A Movie That Shines Light on Law Enforcement is Screening Friday
Lebanon, Tenn. – A documentary film that takes a close look at law enforcement officers who have put their lives in the path of danger and survived, and those who gave their life to protect others, is coming to Middle Tennessee this Friday.
Wilson County, Tennessee Law Enforcement is inviting Middle Tennessee residents to attend a special screening of the documentary film Heroes Behind The Badge on Friday, March 22nd, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at The Journey Church, 212 Leeville Pike in Lebanon. This is the only scheduled showing of the film in Tennessee.
They are reflections from officers across our country that put their lives on the line with no expectation of anything in return. Now Middle Tennessee residents will have the chance to see these incredible stories during a special screening of the new movie Heroes Behind The Badge. Already this inspiring movie is changing the way people look at the men and women of law enforcement by highlighting the unselfish acts of bravery they commit each day in the line of duty.
To bring this movie to Middle Tennessee, Wilson County’s law enforcement agencies and local Fraternal Order of Police lodges have teamed up to make it happen. Not only is this a chance to show the public the issues law enforcement deal with regularly, but it is also a fundraiser for Middle Tennessee Concerns for Police Survivors and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This event also includes a silent auction, demonstrations, and equipment displays that will be available for viewing at 5:30PM.
Ticket prices are:
- $15.00 at the door
Heroes Behind The Badge Teaser:
Concerned Citizen’s Car Stolen by Crash Victim
Case: 13-7802 Date: March 13, 2013 Time: 2:30AM
Location: Old Lebanon Dirt Rd at Nighthawk Lane
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Overnight, a reckless driver crashed his car into a creek then stole the car of a citizen who stopped to help him. Stephen Fields, 20, of Old Hickory, TN certainly wanted to elude police after he crashed and rolled his car into a creek in Mt. Juliet. A 43-year-old Mt. Juliet resident heard the crash and drove to the crash scene to see if anyone needed aid. Fields acted as if he was looking for a passenger, who was possibly ejected from the car, so the concerned citizen began looking around the crash scene for another injured person. While the concerned citizen was away from his GMC SUV, Fields stole it and sped away.
Cpl. Rountree was responding to the crash when he spotted Fields and the stolen SUV pass him at an extremely high rate of speed. A pursuit began after Cpl. Rountree turned around and attempted to stop Fields. Due to Field’s extremely fast speeds, officers lost sight of him temporarily. Sgt. Cook then spotted the stolen SUV and chased him until Fields bailed from the SUV and ran from officers on foot. Fields was later spotted by another citizen who saw Fields running through his yard on Clearview Drive in Mt. Juliet. That citizen was able to hold him with a rifle until officers arrived and took him into custody.
Stephen Fields was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail and was charged with the following:
- Theft of Property – $10,000 Bond
- Resisting Arrest – $2,500 Bond
- Evading Arrest – $2,500 Bond
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage – $2,500 Bond
He has a court date set for May 28th, 2013. The vehicle that he stole was returned to the owner who stopped to help him originally. Unfortunately, the vehicle received some damage from Field’s reckless driving behavior.
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Mt. Juliet Selects New Fire Chief
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – After an extensive search, Mt. Juliet Public Safety Director Andy Garrett announced this evening at the Mt. Juliet Board of Commissioners meeting that the selection committee has selected Erron Kinney as Mt. Juliet’s Fire Chief. It is expected that Kinney will assume his duties as Fire Chief within the coming weeks.
“I know that Erron Kinney’s exceptional qualifications and experience make him the best fit for our City,” said Garrett. “Chief Kinney brings with him well over 20 years of exemplary service in all aspects of fire department management, coupled with his deep roots within the Middle Tennessee community.”
Kinney brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Interested in fire safety since childhood, firefighting and saving lives is in his heart. Currently, Kinney serves as Fire and Rescue Services Coordinator with the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency in Franklin, Tennessee. He previously served as a Captain for the St. Andrews Fire Department in Charleston, South Carolina and as a firefighter in Brentwood, Tennessee. In 2004, the Tennessee Governor appointed him to a seven-year term with the Tennessee State Firefighting Commission, which is an organization that tests and certifies firefighters in the state. A former NFL player with the Tennessee Titans, Kinney is well-known throughout Tennessee and well-involved in the community. Prior to his NFL career, Kinney attended the University of Florida where he majored in elementary education.
“It’s is very humbling, an honor, and a privilege to be appointed as Mt. Juliet’s Fire Chief. I am excited about working in one of Middle Tennessee’s best cities. I am extremely excited about the opportunities that are ahead for the city’s new fire department,” Kinney said.
At the Mt. Juliet Fire Department, Chief Kinney will be responsible for building the department from the ground up. Starting with one fire station that is currently under construction, Kinney will command Mt. Juliet’s new fire department that will be responsible for fire suppression and rescue. Staffing, training, equipment specification and procurement will also be significant issues in the beginning of his new appointment.
In addition, Mt. Juliet City Manager Kenny Martin felt it was best to select the fire department’s second-in-command during this process. Public Safety Director Andy Garrett also announced that James Luffman was selected as Captain. Luffman is currently a firefighter at Wilson County Emergency Management Agency and a resident of Mt. Juliet. Luffman’s start date is pending final budget approvals.
Both employment offers are conditional pending pre-employment screenings.
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