Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives are looking to identify a man who may have information in regards to an assault investigation. On Thursday, July 18, 2019, around 3:10 p.m., an adult female stated that she was inappropriately touched while inside the Speedway, at 12115 Lebanon Road. An unidentified, adult white male was determined to be a person-of-interest, and detectives want to speak with him.

Detectives hope someone in the community will recognize him from the surveillance video image.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident 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 charged two juvenile car burglary suspects and tracked down a stolen gun after a resident spotted them in his car. Around 2:20 a.m. on July 11, 2019, a resident in the 2100 block of Ponty Pool Dr, while walking his dog, spotted two burglars inside his vehicle. The resident attempted to detain both burglars, but one ran off. With the assistance of a family member, one burglar was detained and disarmed of a BB handgun until officers arrived.

Officers arrived and took a 17-year-old male of Mt. Juliet into custody. A handgun, stolen on July 6, 2019 from another home nearby, was recovered from the 17-year-old’s bedroom. Further investigation led to the identity of the other burglary suspect, who ran away, and he was also identified as a 17-year-old male of Mt. Juliet.

The first 17-year-old was charged with Burglary to a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Weapon, and Theft of Property, and the second was charged with Burglary to a Motor Vehicle. Both were scheduled to appear in the Wilson County Juvenile Court.

While we rely on our community to report suspicious activity and crimes-in-progress, we will always caution any confrontation with the suspects involved. Car burglars continue to seek out unsecured guns, and many of them are armed. When confronted, it could easily result in a violent encounter, and our citizens are encouraged to stay safe and call the police immediately.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Identification has been made after a man was found deceased in the parking lot of West Wilson Middle School. Around 10:30 a.m. this morning, officers rushed to the school after it was reported a man was unresponsive in the parking lot. Officers and medics arrived to find 71-year-old William Oliver of Old Hickory deceased.

Detectives determined that Mr. Oliver pulled into the parking lot to likely adjust something on the boat. During the process, he fell from the boat, resulting in fatal injuries. An employee of the school found him unresponsive and called for help. Mr. Oliver was not affiliated with Wilson County Schools.

The department’s heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Oliver’s family as they handle this unexpected loss.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A musical Fourth of July Celebration is planned, and Mt. Juliet’s Fireworks will launch at 9:00 p.m. from the Mt. Juliet Little League Ball Fields on Lebanon Road. To ensure the event is safe and enjoyable for everyone, Mt. Juliet Police and Fire will be on site. The firework presentation, presented by the City of Mt. Juliet and 94FM – The Fish, will begin around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th, 2019 and launch from the ball fields. Premium, excellent viewing for the fireworks will be at the ball fields, where there will be a $10 parking fee per vehicle that benefits the Mt. Juliet League Baseball/Softball. Good views also expand out to area parking lots near the Lebanon Road and N. Mt. Juliet Road intersection. Attendees are encouraged to tune their FM radios to 94.1 as the firework display will be choreographed to music.

Interactive Viewing Area Map:

With there being two firework displays in the city on July 4th, Mt. Juliet’s public safety teams are expecting large attendance and increased traffic. Safety is always a top priority, and many police officers will be present during the events for patrols and traffic control. With any significant event, attendees should always be vigilant for suspicious activity. If anything suspicious is spotted, attendees are encouraged to say something and call police. To contact the police department’s non-emergency line, attendees can dial 311. Also, the Fire Department of Mt. Juliet will have extra firefighters on hand near the firework launch sites.

A traffic plan has been established, and advanced traffic signals will adapt to the increased traffic. In addition, officers will manually control traffic signals to provide priority to traffic leaving the shows.

Please remember, during these events, our roadways will see an increase in traffic, so minor delays should be expected. Personal fireworks, alcoholic beverages, barbecue grills, and parking on roadway medians are prohibited.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A wanted person, who ran from a rollover crash scene, was apprehended as a result of K9 Majlo & Officer Barth’s tracking abilities. On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, around 12:30 p.m. officers responded to Fescue Drive after it was reported a car rolled over. Officers arrived to find that the only occupant, the driver, had run into nearby woods. Officer Barth, along with Majlo, quickly responded to the scene to begin a track on the suspect’s scent.

Majlo quickly picked up the scent and began to track. Ultimately the suspect, 31-year-old Gary Hasty, Jr. of Lebanon, was located deep into a wooded area and apprehended.

BodyWorn Cam Video: https://www.facebook.com/MtJulietPolice/videos/394647577820194?s=147200287&v=e&sfns=mo

“Officer Barth and Majlo are a great team who continue to deliver results that enhance the safety of our community,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “This is just one of many examples where their skills have allowed our officers to quickly apprehend wanted subjects who run and attempt to evade arrest.”

Medics transported Hasty to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash. When he was released, Hasty was booked into the Wilson County Jail, charged with Theft of Property, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash, and Driving on a Revoked Drivers License. He was also wanted out of Wilson County for a probation violation.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Responding to a report from a neighbor about a suspicious person, officers discovered a man inside the attic of a home where he unlawfully entered. Around 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, officers responded to the 200 block of Karen Drive after a neighbor spotted a man that was not allowed to be at a home in the area. When officers arrived, they heard movement inside the house and waited on a homeowner to let them inside.

18-year-old Matthew Casto was found hiding from officers under Christmas decorations in an attic space, and while resisting officers, a Taser was deployed. Casto was previously charged with Aggravated Criminal Trespass back on June 2, 2019 for unlawfully entering the same home, and he appeared in court today on those charges.

Casto was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail, charged with Aggravated Criminal Trespass and Resisting Arrest.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives are investigating the circumstances of a man’s death after a body was located in a wooded area. Around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10, a curious resident, venturing into woods to determine the cause of a foul odor near their home, located a decomposing body in the 1000 block of Secretariat Drive. A preliminary assessment by an investigative team led them to believe that foul play was likely not involved in the subject’s death. The investigation will continue, which includes an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Detectives have been unable to identify the deceased person, but it is a thin white male in their late teens to early 20s.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident 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 vigilant officer led to the apprehension of three armed robbery suspects from Wilson County. On Sunday, June 9, 2019 around 7:10 p.m., the Mt. Juliet Police Department was notified by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) to be on the lookout for a suspect vehicle that was just allegedly involved in an armed robbery on Short Drive, in unincorporated Mt. Juliet, off of Benders Ferry Road. Officer Neal spotted the suspect vehicle near Lebanon Road and N. Mt. Juliet Road, and with the assistance of fellow officers and WCSO deputies, three juvenile suspects were apprehended.

“We are thankful that an officer spotted these suspects shortly after they just committed a violent crime,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “Good communication between different police agencies, great vigilance on behalf of Officer Neal, and a strong commitment to keeping our community safe led a successful apprehension.”

WCSO deputies and detectives took over the investigation due to the incident occurring in their jurisdiction.

WCSO Detective Sergeant Woods stated, “The victim in the case reported that an online purchase of electronics had been arranged, and upon the suspects arriving at his home, he was robbed by the individuals who were reportedly armed with a handgun. Multiple charges will be presented to the Juvenile Court of Wilson County.”

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Wilson County oldest veteran is turning 100 years old, and Mt. Juliet Police will escort World War II Veteran Max Anderson and his wife, Flossie, to his centennial celebration this Memorial Day. The celebration will be held during a special closing ceremony for the “Honoring Our American Flag” display, organized by the local Exchange Club and American Legion, on Monday, May 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mt. Juliet Train Station.

During the escort, the community is encouraged to stand along the escort route in a display of patriotism, support of our country’s Veterans, and appreciation for Mr. Anderson’s service. The escort will begin at 1:30 p.m. near N.W. Rutland Rd (near First Baptist Church) and travel northbound on North Mt. Juliet Road to East Division Street. The community should anticipate a minor traffic delay on North Mt. Juliet Road while the escort is underway.

Map of Escort Route:

This Lebanon Democrat article provides more details into Mr. Anderson’s celebration: Wilson’s oldest veteran to be celebrated Memorial Day

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives are actively investigating a vague bomb threat that was texted to an individual, threatening a third party, who was inside Mt. Juliet Middle School. The threat was not specific towards the school, but it referenced a building the person was currently in. Out of an abundance of caution, officers and emergency personnel responded to the school to ensure it was safe.

After the school was evacuated and parking lot secured, explosive detection canines from Lebanon Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit responded to the scene to assist in ensuring the property was safe.

Officers and canines searched the school property, and it was deemed safe around 5:40 p.m. Based off the context of the text and other information gained from the initial investigation, all indications lead to the threat as being a scam related to a bitcoin blackmail tactic. Detectives continue to investigate the source and are hoping to identify the person responsible for the threat.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident 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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