Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

A statement from Police Chief James Hambrick:

“Earlier this week, our department noticed the advertisement for a planned large event on Global Vision Bible Church’s property at 2060 Old Lebanon Dirt Road. While the church property is outside of Mt. Juliet’s city limits, the roadway of Old Lebanon Dirt Road is in the city limits, and our department has a duty to ensure Old Lebanon Dirt Road remains clear for safe vehicular traffic and emergency response. Additionally, nearby private property owners are also in Mt. Juliet’s city limits, and we have a duty to assist private property owners with trespassing issues.

Previous large events on this property have created extreme congestion by blocking Old Lebanon Dirt Road and private property issues in the past. Therefore the department began developing a contingency plan earlier this week to respond to community-impacting incidents, such as blocked roadways, unlawful parking, and trespassing. Early this morning, we began receiving reports of Old Lebanon Dirt Road blocked, and the department immediately responded.

Officers continue to be present along Old Lebanon Dirt Road as they work to keep traffic flowing. Additionally, officers continue to assist private property owners with trespassing issues, including vehicle abandonment on their property. Digital message boards were deployed that warn motorists of unlawful parking and tow risk, and traffic cones have been placed alongside the road. We are also coordinating with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office due to community impacts spreading across jurisdictional boundaries.

Private entities are not paying for the department’s services, and the City is making efforts to document all costs associated with the response to be reimbursed. The event is scheduled throughout the weekend, and our officers will remain present as they work to limit impacts on our residents and ensure Old Lebanon Dirt Road remains open and safe.”

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Old Hickory, Tenn. – Two juvenile teen suspects were quickly apprehended after officers interrupted their active burglary crime spree early this morning. After the department received a report of a burglary alarm around 3:30 a.m. at 4EverECig at 14827 Lebanon Road, an officer spotted the suspects burglarizing another nearby store, Marathon Gas at 15333 Lebanon Road. They ran away, but two suspects were quickly apprehended.

Unfortunately, the third suspect was not apprehended. He is described as a 14 to 17-year-old White male wearing a white or light gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants. A large upside-down smiley face with the text “Always Smiling” is on the back of the sweatshirt.

If anyone has any information about the suspects, 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/.

Further investigation revealed the suspects parked in a nearby vehicle, which officers recovered. In the car was a bb-type handgun, rifle, and a small amount of marijuana. Detectives believe the suspects have targeted stores selling vape pens and e-cigarettes across the Metro-Nashville area, and their association with other crimes is under investigation.

The two apprehended suspects were identified and charged with the following:

Unnamed Juvenile, 15, of Nashville, was charged with:

• Commercial Burglary
• Vandalism
• Evading

Unnamed Juvenile, 16, of Nashville, was charged with:

• Commercial Burglary
• Vandalism
• Evading
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

They remain in secure custody.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Three juvenile teen suspects were quickly apprehended after officers interrupted their active car burglary crime spree early this morning. After the department received a report of suspicious activity near hotels along Crossing Circle around 3:45 a.m., an officer spotted the suspects burglarizing a vehicle at Hampton Inn. They ran away, and one suspect was carrying a handgun. Officers quickly apprehended the armed suspect. Once the department notified the community with a text alert, and during a search by officers, a community member spotted the two remaining suspects running near the Mt. Juliet Road interchange. Officers moved their search to that location and located the remaining suspects.

Further investigation revealed the suspects arrived in a black Honda Ridgeline, stolen from Nashville on December 10 where the keys were left inside. The suspects were targeting large parking areas at hotels, busting windows of vehicles, and on the hunt for valuable items and unsecured guns. A total of 19 vehicles were burglarized around the hotels. Still, detectives are looking into the suspects’ involvement in additional burglaries that occurred at the Amazon distribution center on Golden Bear Gateway and in the Walton’s Grove neighborhood.

Officers had initial difficulty gaining the actual age and identity of the suspects due to their lack of cooperation.

All three suspects were eventually identified and charged with the following:

Unnamed Juvenile, 15, of Nashville, was charged with:

• 19 counts of Theft from a Vehicle
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
• Felony Possession of Marijuana
• Simple Possession of a Legend Drug

Unnamed Juvenile, 15, of Nashville, was charged with:

• 19 counts of Theft from a Vehicle
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
• Felony Possession of Marijuana
• Simple Possession of a Legend Drug

Unnamed Juvenile, 15, of Nashville, was charged with:

• 19 counts of Theft from a Vehicle
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
• Felony Possession of Marijuana
• Simple Possession of a Legend Drug

They remain in secure custody.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A Mt. Juliet police officer graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) Basic Police School today. The department is so proud of his achievements and many top honors. Mt. Juliet’s newest police officer Daniel LaNata, along with over 100 other law enforcement officers across the state of Tennessee, took part in a graduation ceremony for Basic Police School 1972 held at MTSU’s Tucker Theater. Officer Daniel LaNata was elected as the Class President and gave the closing speech at today’s ceremony. Not only did he receive the Leadership Award, but he was honored with the Legal Award and Outstanding Officer Award- scoring the highest on all testing.

(L-R) Capt. Tyler Chandler, Chief James Hambrick, Officer Daniel LaNata, and Deputy Chief Michael Mullins

Before becoming a police officer, Officer LaNata grew up in Louisiana and left to serve in the United States Air Force. After military service, he relocated to the Nashville area and joined the department.

“On behalf of the entire Mt. Juliet Police family, we are incredibly proud of Daniel’s achievements. For him to have the extra responsibilities of being Class President and doing so well throughout the academy is quite an accomplishment. He scored the highest on his legal exam and had the highest average score for all assessments throughout the academy, all while leading the group of recruits on a path of success. He will be an amazing police officer to our community and is ready to get to work,” stated Chief James Hambrick.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Three suspects were quickly apprehended after their active burglary was interrupted by officers this morning. One of the large items they were stealing, a go-cart, was a child’s Christmas gift that was paid for and waiting to be pick-up by the parents. Officers were alerted around 5:00 a.m. of an alarm activation at Tractor Supply at 14295 Lebanon Road, and they arrived to find the suspects actively burglarizing the store. Two suspects attempted to run away, but officers gave chase and apprehended both. One suspect, who hid in a nearby wooded area, was tracked by a Wilson County Sheriff K9 within moments of fleeing.

Further investigation revealed the suspects arrived in two vehicles, one being a U-Haul box truck. In the box truck was a freshly stolen go-cart, which was waiting at Tractor Supply to be picked up by a family who bought it for their child. An adult female suspect was staying in a nearby car while the two adult male suspects burglarized the location. They are all suspects in other Tractor Supply burglaries across the mid-state that occurred overnight.

All three suspects were arrested and booked in the Wilson County Jail on the following charges:

Jerome T. Helm, 37 of Nashville, was charged with:

• Evading Arrest
• Aggravated Criminal Trespass
• Theft of Property
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Vandalism > $10,000

Jerome T. Bass, 60 of Nashville, was charged with:

• Evading Arrest
• Aggravated Criminal Trespass
• Theft of Property
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Vandalism > $10,000

Lilia A. Shabazz, 32 of Nashville, was charged with:

• • Aggravated Criminal Trespass
  • Theft of Property
  • Possession of Burglary Tools
  • Vandalism > $10,000

If anyone has any information about the suspects, 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. – The Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade will affect traffic on the north end of N. Mt. Juliet Road, including Lebanon Road and E. Division Street near Mt. Juliet Road, during the afternoon on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Starting at 10:45 a.m., the following stretch of roadways will be closed:

• N. Mt. Juliet Road, between E. Division Street and Lebanon Road
• Lebanon Road, between N. Mt. Juliet Road and Park Glen Drive
• E. Division St, between N. Mt. Juliet Road and Clemmons Road

Mt. Juliet’s residents and visitors should plan and be aware of the parade, which begins at 11:00 a.m. from the Mt. Juliet League Fields on Lebanon Road, travels down Mt. Juliet Road, and ends at the train station along E. Division St.

If you are attending the parade, the police department suggests that you arrive before 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 traffic volume.

Parade Information: Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade Website

Parade Route Map: Map of Parade Route

Remember, there will be a large amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic along Mt. Juliet Road in the north end of town after the parade. So take your time, and please be considerate. It is estimated that the parade traffic will be clear around 12:30 p.m.

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

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Recently, the department honored many outstanding staff members who went above and beyond during 2022. On Friday, December 2, Mt. Juliet Police Department’s annual award banquet was held, and Joy Church sponsored the event.

“Choosing outstanding employees for the year is always difficult, as so much of our team go the extra mile. I am proud of Mt. Juliet’s finest who are deeply committed and work so hard to keep Mt. Juliet safe,” stated Chief James Hambrick.

The year’s top award went to Administrative Services Manager Richard Frankich, who received the Sgt. Jerry Mundy Employee of the Year award. Richard’s work ethic and energy are always focused on the department and community, and he has gone above and beyond in many of his duties and volunteer efforts.

Richard Frankich & MJPD’s Command Staff

Other staff members honored include:

Supervisor of the Year – Sergeant Sean Ronan

Sgt. Sean Ronan & MJPD’s Command Staff

Investigator of the Year – Detective Cameron Smith

Det. Cameron Smith & MJPD’s Command Staff

Specialized Officer of the Year – Officer Jamie Fialkowski

Ofc. Jamie Fialkowski & MJPD’s Command Staff

Patrol Officer of the Year – Officer Jacob Berti

Ofc. Jacob Berti & MJPD’s Command Staff

Rookie Officer of the Year – Officer Dylan O’Brien

Ofc. Dylan O’Brien

Reserve Officer of the Year – Officer Jimmy Bancroft

Ofc. Jimmy Bancroft & MJPD’s Command Staff

Steve Stepaniak Civilian of the Year – Administrative Assistant Karen Ackerman

Admin. Assistant Karen Ackerman & MJPD’s Command Staff

Chief’s Award – Codes Enforcement Officer Jacob Smartt

Chief’s Award – Detective Jacob Dean

Det. Jacob Dean & MJPD’s Command Staff

The below staff members were honored with the Meritorious Award due to an action that made a significant impact where they responded extraordinarily and exceptionally:

• Corporal Sam Elliott
• Detective Jacob Dean
• Officer Robert Ullrich
• Dispatch Lead Joe Lukins

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