Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives continue to search for the whereabouts of a 29-year-old missing man, and they hope someone out there could have information to help them in the investigation. 29-year-old Dace Martinez has not been heard from since Saturday, August 25, 2018, and he was last known to be at his house on West Division Street 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.

Since he has been missing, detectives have done extensive searches of property near his home, have contacted many of Dace’s known acquaintances, and have even reviewed communication details on his mobile phone and online presence.  Since Saturday, August 25, 2018, there has been no trace of Dace, which is extremely concerning. Detectives are hoping someone out there may know something about his disappearance. Any information about Dace or his activities leading up to his disappearance would be very valuable to Detectives.

If anyone has any information about the investigation into the disappearance 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. – Recently, the department honored many outstanding staff members, who went above and beyond during 2018. On Friday, December 14, Mt. Juliet Police Department’s annual award banquet was held, and it was sponsored by American Jewelry’s Billie and Dwight Belew.

“Selecting outstanding employees for the year is always a difficult process. We have many great, committed employees at our department who all deserve the recognition,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick. “However, a difficult process is a good situation to have when recognizing those who went above and beyond. I’m proud of everyone, and I’m especially proud of this year’s award recipients.”

The top award of the year went to Detective Bonnie Harris, who received the Sgt. Jerry Mundy Employee of the Year award. Det. Harris is the department’s primary detective who investigates child sexual abuse and serves as a negotiator on the department’s Crisis Negotiation Team. This year, her direct efforts, led to two individuals receiving proper care after she helped them through their time of emotional crisis.

Other employees honored include:

Sgt. Detective Tommy Shelton – Supervisor of the Year

Cpl. Detective James Cothron – Investigator of the Year

Officer Josh Lo – Patrol Officer of the Year

Sergeant Sam Shallenberger – Reserve Officer of the Year

Richard Frankich – Civilian of the Year

Cpl. Det. Derek Thornhill – Chief Award

Officer Simco Valsaint – Most DUI Convictions

Officer Sara Bancroft – Most DUI Convictions Runner-up

Officer Michael Cordle – Most Felony Arrests

Officer Simco Valsaint – Most Felony Arrests Runner-up

Officer Austyn Dyer – Most Street Level Drug Arrests

Officer Justin Angle – Most Street Level Drug Arrests Runner-up

Corporal Robert Kimbrough – Most Traffic Enforcement Initiative

Officer Michael Wentzell – Most Traffic Enforcement Initiative Runner-up

Sergeant Sam Shallenberger – Top Reserve Officer Volunteer Hours

Sergeant Sam Shallenberger – Top Reserve Officer Hours Dedicated to Patrol

Officer Bob O’Neal – Top Reserve Officer Hours Dedicated to Special Events

Officer Troy Davis – Top Reserve Officer Hours Dedicated to Civic Meeting & Court Security

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A local, watchful business owner stepped-in and saved an elderly man, who was about to mail a large amount of cash to a scammer. On Monday, December 10, the owner of the UPS Store, at 401 S. Mt. Juliet Road, Myro Kuzman, contacted detectives after he felt an elderly man was about to fall victim to a scam attempt. The scammer, acting as an attorney from another state, contacted the victim by phone and stated that he needed to overnight mail $4,000.00 to bail a family member out of jail. The scammer also instructed the victim not to tell anyone about the money.

Detectives responded to the UPS Store and determined that it was, in fact, a scam. In this case, the scammer was using a common scam of faking an emergency situation to trick the victim into thinking that a loved one is in trouble. Scammers typically focus on the elderly, ask for the money to be sent immediately, and demand that it be kept quiet. In trying to legitimize their efforts, the scammers claim to be an authority figure, like a lawyer or police officer. The scam can seem very real, and it is meant to tug at the heart of a possible victim.

“It takes everyone in a community to keep it safe and protected,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick. “This is a fine example of a community looking after each other, and Mr. Kuzman should be applauded for his efforts. His direct efforts saved the victim from losing large amount of cash.”

Detectives continue to investigate the origin of the caller in hopes of finding a suspect. Lieutenant Jason Brockman, Criminal Investigative Division Commander, visited Myro, the UPS Store Open, to thank him for his vigilance and care for our community.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends the following if anyone finds themselves receiving a similar scam call:

• Check it out before you act. Look up that friend or family’s phone number yourself. Call them or another family member to see what’s happening- even if the person who contacted you told you not to.
• Don’t pay. Don’t wire money, send a check, overnight a money order, or pay with a gift card or cash reload card. Anyone who demands payment in these ways is always, always, always a scammer. These payment methods are like giving cash — and nearly untraceable unless you act almost immediately.
• If you sent money to a family emergency scammer, contact the company you used to send the money (wire transfer service, bank, gift card company, or cash reload card company) and tell them it was a fraudulent transaction. Ask to have the transaction reversed, if possible.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives are actively investigating a robbery of Penn Station East Coast Subs, where two armed, masked men demanded cash from an employee. On Tuesday, December 11, 2018, officers were summoned to Penn Station East Coast Subs, at 600 S. Mt. Juliet Road, to investigate a robbery.

The initial investigation revealed that two masked, black men, likely adults, entered the restaurant with handguns and demanded cash from an employee. During the incident, one suspect fired shots into the ceiling. The suspects left with an undisclosed amount of money, fleeing south on Mt. Juliet Road in a dark-colored, dirty midsize SUV or car.

No one was injured during the incident, and no patrons were in the establishment at the time of the event.

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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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. -Smart devices, capable of recording video from the officer’s body, will begin deployment in as early as two weeks after the department recently finalized a contract with Utility Associates, Inc. to replace all patrol unit mounted cameras, equip officers with body-worn cameras, and create a digital evidence management system.

The body-worn cameras, basically a smart device, are the most advanced police body cameras available. The devices have many capabilities beyond most body cameras, which include:

• streaming “real-time” live video to dispatchers and field supervisors;
• remotely activating based on the device’s location to an active incident;
• detecting, activating, and sending alerts when the officer is in a physical struggle, running, or is down;
• detecting, activating, and sending alerts when a firearm is discharged;
• integrated inside the officer’s uniform to ensure maximum security and prevent it from being knocked off; and
• capable of receiving alerts and Be-On-The-Lookout photos from dispatch.

“Body-worn cameras are an effective law enforcement tool that will reinforce our department’s professionalism and transparency. We have had patrol unit mounted cameras for quite some time, but body-worn cameras will provide an additional perspective- going exactly where the officer goes. These devices will improve community relations, lower the number of citizen complaints, defend officers against false accusations, increase agency accountability, and improve officer training and evaluations,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick. “I’m grateful for the support from our elected officials on this important project and all the research from City Hall’s Information Technology staff, including our staff, in selecting the best system for our department.”

Four officers and patrol units will initially be equipped with the new system, and the department plans to have all officers and patrol units equipped by March of 2019 if the system performs correctly. The department selected the cameras after the city commission approved funding back in July 2018 for the department’s current fiscal year budget. The five-year contract for the system totals $540,600.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectivesare hoping someone will recognize two men who fraudulently used stolen creditcard information. On November 4, 2018, the victim noticed fraudulent activityon their credit card statement, and it was clear that the card information wasfraudulently used at Kroger, 401 S. Mt. Juliet Road, to purchase a VISA giftcard.

Detectives tracked when the credit card was used and were able to get surveillance video of two black male suspects who made the purchase.

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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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade and Holiday Half Marathon & 5K will have traffic on N. Mt. Juliet Road tied up for most of the midday on Saturday, December 8, 2018. Starting at 10:45 a.m., Mt. Juliet Road will be closed completely to traffic from Charlie Daniels Parkway to W. Wilson Middle School in preparation for the day’s events. Mt. Juliet’s residents and visitors should plan ahead and be aware to avoid being stuck in traffic.

The Mt. Juliet Holiday Half Marathon begins near 10:45 a.m., just after the road closure, followed by the 5K at 10:55 a.m. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. It is imperative that spectators for the parade and races are parked and off Mt. Juliet Road by 10:45 a.m. In the interest of public safety, parking is prohibited on any sidewalk or grassy area next to the sidewalk during the day.

The following are the traffic restrictions for 12/8/18:

• Mt. Juliet Road will be closed from Charlie Daniels Pkwy to Clearview Dr from 10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Right northbound lane of N. Mt. Juliet Road will be closed from Clearview Dr to Old Mt. Juliet Rd (road behind Valley Center Shopping Center) from 10:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Right eastbound lane of Lebanon Rd will be closed from N. Mt. Juliet Road – Benders Ferry Rd from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Southbound lanes of Golden Bear Gateway will be closed from Lebanon Road to Rutland Drive from 11:20 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Westbound lane of E. Division St will be closed from Rutland Dr to Clemmons Rd from 11:40 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Old Lebanon Dirt Rd will be closed from Old Mt. Juliet Rd (road behind Valley Center Shopping Center) to E. Division St from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The goal of the Mt. Juliet Police Department is to make sure the safety of motorists, spectators, pedestrians, and participants. If you are attending the parade or races, the police department suggests that you arrive prior to the 10:45 a.m. street closures. This will allow plenty of time to find parking. If you are not attending the parade, you may want to avoid the Mt. Juliet Road corridor to reduce your frustration with the road closure and large volume of traffic.

Parade Information: Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade

Half Marathon & 5K Information: Mt. Juliet Holiday Half Marathon & 5K

Remember, after the parade there will be a large amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic along Mt. Juliet Road in the center of town. Take your time, and please be considerate. Normally, the traffic after the parade will clear out in about 30 minutes. It is estimated that the parade traffic will be clear around 1:30 p.m.

Follow Mt. Juliet Police on Twitter @MtJulietPolice for live and active information about the parade & races as they happen.

Overview of the parade start and participant drop-off site at West Wilson Middle School:

Overview of the parade ending and participant pick-up site at Mt. Juliet Middle School:

 

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Update: Detectives have gained information through intelligence that this trailer has been painted black or dark blue by potential thieves. It could also been in the Hermitage, Old Hickory, or Mt. Juliet area.

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A local Boy Scout Troop’s equipment trailer was stolen, and now police are looking to find it and those responsible for taking it. Sometime between November 9 and November 13, 2018, a 1999 enclosed white trailer was stolen from the parking lot at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, at 14544 Lebanon Road.

Photo of Stolen Trailer

The trailer, worth around $5,000, belongs to Boy Scout Troop 1204, and it contained their camping supplies. Tents, chuck boxes, lanterns, and cooking gear were all stolen with the trailer, which was described as a white enclosed cargo trailer with graphics that stated, “Boy Scouts of America Troop 1204, Hermitage, TN, and Unit 1,” on both sides of the trailer.

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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