Mt. Juliet Conditions Update & Message to Check on Neighbors, Especially Elderly & Those w/ Special Needs

January 23, 2016

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Officials continue to discourage travel as crews work to clear roadways, which remain hazardous due to the heavy snow fall and below freezing temperatures. The National Weather Service in Nashville issued a Travelers Advisory for the area, and they expect travel problems will continue across Middle Tennessee until at least Noon on Sunday.

Public Works crews with the City of Mt. Juliet, Wilson County, & TDOT continue to work hard in their efforts to clear the roads.

Since 6:00 a.m. Friday morning, Mt. Juliet Police responded to 3 injury crashes, 8 non-injury crashes, and dealt with 55 motorist assist incidents where one or more vehicles were stuck. Roadways with the most incidents are in areas with an incline or hill. The last reported crash was at 5:20 p.m. yesterday, where a motorist spun out and struck the wall on the Interstate. Police officers continue to assist motorists who are becoming stuck. Traffic is much less than it was on Friday, which has resulted in less call volume at the current moment.

During this impacting winter weather, it is important to ensure neighbors, friends, and loved ones are okay, especially the elderly and those with any special needs. If contact cannot be with neighbor, friend, or loved one, the communications center can be notified at (615) 754-2550. Once notified, a police officer will respond to conduct a welfare check.

Continuous updates about Mt. Juliet Police Department’s activity will continue to Twitter and Facebook.

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Mt. Juliet Public Safety and Public Works Focused on Approaching Winter Storm; Police Offer Safety Tips

January 21, 2016

WINTER WEATHER TRAVEL IMPACTS (1)

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The attention of city public safety and public works is focused on the approaching Winter Storm, where a Winter Storm Warning is in effect through Saturday. Travel impacts should be expected Friday, Saturday, and possibly into Sunday morning. Residents should have a plan in place to not travel on roadways when conditions become hazardous, which could begin as early as Friday morning and include the morning rush-hour. Roadways will quickly become hazardous, and travel is discouraged. Mt. Juliet Police, Fire, and Public Works departments are actively monitoring the developing situation, and they are prepared for this winter-weather event.

Wilson County Schools and Kids Club Extended School Program will be closed Friday, January 22, 2016. All extracurricular activities (sports, plays, etc.) are cancelled for tomorrow, January, 22 and Saturday, January 23.

Additional police officers have been placed on standby, and they will be utilized if more staffing is necessary to respond for calls. Certain police vehicles are equipped with all-wheel drive to provide better traction and ensure officers continue to have the capability to respond.

Mt. Juliet Fire Department volunteers have been placed on standby, and additional crews have been schedule to staff all stations and all apparatuses.

Mt. Juliet Public Works will not be able to pretreat or brine city roadways due to the heavy rain prior to the wintry precipitation. However, staff has been placed on standby, and salt trucks with snow removal equipment have been readied. Public works will begin to salt and attempt to clear roadways once hazardous conditions develop. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is responsible for state roadways like Mt. Juliet Road, Lebanon Road, and Central Pike; however, Mt. Juliet Public Works will supplement TDOT to ensure the state roads are cleared as best as possible.

Mt. Juliet Police, Fire, and Public Works leadership is in constant contact with the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency, and all agencies are communicating and working together to ensure everyone has the necessary resources.

Since hazardous road conditions will develop this evening and last through the week, the Mt. Juliet Police Department reminds residents to stay safe in snowy weather. Please remember the following tips throughout any winter storm:

  • Follow us on Social Media for Updates: Follow Wilson County and Tennessee public safety agencies on Twitter & Facebook. Many agencies actively communicate with the public about road closures, traffic advisories, and/or important information on Twitter and Facebook. Below is a list of area social media links:
  • Stay Informed: Anytime there is a possibility of a winter storm, it is always important to stay connected and have your communication devices charged. Consider registering for Mt. Juliet and Wilson County EMA Nixle Alerts to receive real-time text alerts on your phone. It is simple to register, simply text your zip code to the phone number “888777”.
  • Take Note of the Weather Forecast: Mt. Juliet Police encourage residents to take note of local forecasts and plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions. Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Tennessee roadways. The Tennessee Department of Transportation also has a great SmartWay resource that provides up-to-date traffic information on Tennessee’s highway system. You can find more information about it at www.TNSmartWay.com .
  • Vehicle Preparation: With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving. Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels. Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth. Motorists should equip their vehicles with an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets. Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving, including all lights, for visibility. Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road. Motorists should also carry a charged cell phone.
  • Reduce Speed: Anticipate delays. Most snow and ice-related crashes are caused by spin-outs and vehicles sliding off the road because they are traveling at speeds too great for the road and weather conditions. Posted speed limits are set for driving under perfect, dry conditions. If road and weather conditions are dangerous, motorists should operate at a speed well below the posted limit.
  • Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles: Under perfect driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them. If the road and weather conditions are dangerous, that distance should be significantly increased in order to afford for increased stopping distances.
  • Black Ice: Transparent ice may form on the roadway. If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well. Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly and, if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.
  • Buckle Up: The single most effective thing that motorists can do to keep themselves, friends, and loved ones safe on the road is to buckle up.
  • Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies: Motorists who become disabled in a dangerous location or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 on their cell phones to immediately be connected to emergency services. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the road they are traveling on and nearest cross-street or mile-marker.

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Mt. Juliet Public Safety and Public Works Monitoring Approaching Winter Weather; Police Offer Safety Tips

January 19, 2016

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Mt. Juliet public safety and public works officials are monitoring the approaching winter weather, where a Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect at midnight tonight. Residents should expect travel impacts Wednesday morning if the weather forecast is accurate and should have a plan in place to not travel on roadways when conditions become hazardous. Mt. Juliet Police, Fire, and Public Works departments are actively monitoring the developing situation, and they are prepared for this winter-weather event.

Wilson County Schools has announced that they will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20. Daycare will be open normal hours.

Additional police officers have been placed on standby, and they will be utilized if more staffing is necessary to respond for calls. Certain police vehicles are equipped with all-wheel drive to provide better traction and ensure officers continue to have the capability to respond.

Mt. Juliet Fire Department volunteers have been placed on standby, and additional crews will be utilized if more staffing is necessary to respond for calls.

Mt. Juliet Public Works has pretreated trouble-spots on city roadways with a calcium chloride solution. Their staff has been placed on standby, and salt trucks with snow removal equipment have been readied. Public works will begin to salt and attempt to clear roadways once hazardous conditions develop. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is responsible for state roadways like Mt. Juliet Road, Lebanon Road, and Central Pike; however, Mt. Juliet Public Works will supplement TDOT to ensure the state roads are cleared as best as possible.

Mt. Juliet Police, Fire, and Public Works leadership is in constant contact with the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency, and all agencies are communicating and working together to ensure everyone has the necessary resources.

Since hazardous road conditions could develop Wednesday morning, the Mt. Juliet Police Department reminds residents to stay safe in wintry weather. Please remember the following tips throughout any winter weather event:

  • Follow us on Social Media for Updates: Follow Wilson County and Tennessee public safety agencies on Twitter & Facebook. Many agencies actively communicate with the public about road closures, traffic advisories, and/or important information on Twitter and Facebook. Below is a list of area social media links:
  • Stay Informed: Anytime there is a possibility of a winter storm, it is always important to stay connected and have your communication devices charged. Consider registering for Mt. Juliet and Wilson County EMA Nixle Alerts to receive real-time text alerts on your phone. It is simple to register, simply text your zip code to the phone number “888777”.
  • Take Note of the Weather Forecast: Mt. Juliet Police encourage residents to take note of local forecasts and plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions. Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Tennessee roadways. The Tennessee Department of Transportation also has a great SmartWay resource that provides up-to-date traffic information on Tennessee’s highway system. You can find more information about it at www.TNSmartWay.com .
  • Vehicle Preparation: With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving. Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels. Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth. Motorists should equip their vehicles with an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets. Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving, including all lights, for visibility. Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road. Motorists should also carry a charged cell phone.
  • Reduce Speed: Anticipate delays. Most snow and ice-related crashes are caused by spin-outs and vehicles sliding off the road because they are traveling at speeds too great for the road and weather conditions. Posted speed limits are set for driving under perfect, dry conditions. If road and weather conditions are dangerous, motorists should operate at a speed well below the posted limit.
  • Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles: Under perfect driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them. If the road and weather conditions are dangerous, that distance should be significantly increased in order to afford for increased stopping distances.
  • Black Ice: Transparent ice may form on the roadway. If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well. Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly and, if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.
  • Buckle Up: The single most effective thing that motorists can do to keep themselves, friends, and loved ones safe on the road is to buckle up.
  • Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies: Motorists who become disabled in a dangerous location or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 on their cell phones to immediately be connected to emergency services. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the road they are traveling on and nearest cross-street or mile-marker.

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Emergency Crews Respond to Gas Line Rupture, Requiring an Elementary School to be Evacuated

January 19, 2016

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Police and Fire units were summoned to the 1900 block of S. Rutland Road after an unknown worker struck a gas line with a backhoe at construction site for a church. It is not clear when the rupture occurred, but a Piedmont Natural Gas employee noticed the rupture and notified emergency crews around 10:20 a.m. this morning. Emergency crews arrived on the scene shortly after and discovered a 4″ natural gas line was ruptured.

Due to the close proximity to Rutland Elementary school, evacuations were necessary. Initially, Rutland Elementary’s B building was evacuated since it was the closest to the rupture. Those students were escorted to Rutland Elementary’s A building, and then the decision was made to evacuate the whole Rutland Elementary school campus temporarily while the natural gas and odor agent dissipated from the area. Buses were quickly brought in, and students were transported to West Wilson Middle school to have lunch. After the Fire Department of Mt. Juliet determined that there was no longer a hazard at Rutland Elementary school, the students were bused back to the elementary school for dismissal at 2:15 p.m.

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As the situation was developing, representatives from Wilson County Schools immediately responded to the scene to ensure the safety of the students and faculty. School representatives, along with Mt. Juliet Police and Fire leadership, worked together to coordinate the best action to keep the students safe. There were no injuries or sickness reported during the incident.

A similar incident occurred on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at the same construction site, and officials with Mt. Juliet’s Building Codes are investigating. School was not in session during that incident.

Updates about the developing situation were provided to the public on Nixle, a text messaging alert service, and social media. Live video updates were provided through Periscope, and the recordings can be found here: Mt. Juliet PD’s Periscope .

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Traffic Stop for Speeding Leads to Arrest of Man Wanted in Florida for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

January 18, 2016

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A 27-year-old man, wanted out of Florida for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, is in custody following a traffic stop in Mt. Juliet. A Mt. Juliet Police officer clocked a car on radar speeding 51 MPH in a 35 MPH zone on W. Division Street near Main Street on Sunday, January 17, 2016 around 7:30 p.m. The driver, identified as Jeff Desauguste, 27, of Florida, was stopped for exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 16 MPH.

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A computer check, through a national database, revealed that Desauguste was wanted out of Florida on a full-extradition capias warrant, which was filed in the Broward County, Florida 17th Judicial Circuit Court on January 7, 2016.

He was taken into custody and booked into the Wilson County Jail, where he will await extradition back to Florida.

Jeff Desauguste, 27, of Florida

Jeff Desauguste, 27, of Florida

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Investigators Hope to Identify Suspects Using Stolen Credit Cards

January 13, 2016

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Two women used a stolen American Express card at Mt. Juliet stores recently, and investigators are hoping someone in the community will recognize them. On December 17, 2015, the unknown women used the stolen credit card at Walmart and Murphy Oil Express in Mt. Juliet. The  fraudulent activity amounted to $391.00.

Walmart’s surveillance system captured the unknown women in Walmart and at Murphy Oil Express. Video shows that suspects with several buggies of merchandise and swiping several credit cards to pay for the items. In addition, the vehicle they were driving was captured on camera outside. The suspects’ vehicle is described as a mid-2000’s White Nissan Xterra. Investigators hope someone in the community will recognize the suspects and vehicle from the surveillance video so they can be apprehended.

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Anyone with any information regarding 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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One Suspect In Jail After Confessing to Involvement in Gun Range Burglary

January 6, 2016

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – An 18-year-old man is in custody after confessing to investigators about his involvement in the gun range burglary, and he is cooperating with investigators and assisting in the investigation. Earlier today, around 7:22 a.m. the man was spotted by an officer walking in the 600 block of Terrace Hill Road, and he matched the description of one of the suspects captured on nRange surveillance system. After speaking with investigators, the suspect, identified as Malik Bradford, 18, of Nashville, confessed to participating in the burglary. Bradford is cooperating with the investigation.

Malik Bradford, 18, of Nashville

Malik Bradford, 18, of Nashville

Bradford was located during the intense suspect search this morning. However, his involvement was not immediately confirmed. Further investigation, with the assistance of Bradford, have led investigators to believe that five people, including Bradford, were involved in the burglary. Bradford was one of the men that ran from the officer, following a traffic stop on Park Glen Drive. It is not clear where the fifth suspect was at during the burglary.

Bradford was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail, charged with Burglary, 2 counts of Theft of Property, and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.

It is believed that four additional suspects are still at-large. Anyone with any information regarding 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/ . nRange surveillance video is currently being edited and enhanced, and it will be released when available.

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Police Discontinue Intense Search for 4 Men Involved in Early Morning Gun Store Burglary; 17 of 19 Stolen Firearms Recovered

January 6, 2016

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Police have discontinued the search for four men involved in this morning’s gun store burglary. On Wednesday, January 6, 2015 around 2:45 a.m. officers responded to NRange, located at 9904 Lebanon Road, for a burglary alarm. At the same time, a citizen reported two suspicious vehicles parked on Parrish Hill, where individuals were unloading items out of one car and into another. Around 2:47 a.m., an officer spotted a suspicious car on Lebanon Road and stopped the car on Park Glen Drive. Once the car was stopped, three black men ran from the car and into a nearby wooded area.

Further investigation revealed that four suspects used a Volvo car, stolen out of Metro-Nashville, to crash into the front window of NRange. After crashing into the window, the suspects gained access to the gun store and stole 19 firearms, which was a mix of long guns and handguns. The suspects then drove over to Parrish Hill and unloaded the stolen firearms out of the stolen Volvo and into a Chevrolet Caprice

The Chevrolet was stopped by an officer on Park Glen Drive, and three suspects ran from the officer into a nearby wooded area. Those three suspects are described as young adult black men with a thin build and wearing dark clothing and possibly camo. Officers recovered most of the stolen firearms, and only 2 handguns remain unaccounted for. The fourth suspect was never spotted by officers, but he was captured on surveillance footage at NRange. Special Agents with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are assisting in the investigation.

Around 8:18 a.m. this morning, in the 2700 block of Curd Road, a resident reported that she heard someone attempting to get inside her home. However, she never saw any suspects. Officers responded to that area and conducted an extensive search, using Lebanon Emergency Services Unit’s K9 to assist in the search. No one was located during the search.

Investigators no longer believe that the suspects are in the area. However, out of an abundance of caution, multiple officers will continue to provide heavy patrols. If someone suspicious is spotted, the public is urged to call police.

Mt. Juliet High School, Mt. Juliet Middle School, Elzie Patton Elementary School, and West Elementary School were all placed on a soft lock-down during the active search. During the active search, Wilson County Schools updated the public on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wilsonk12tn throughout the morning.

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Police Investigating Gun Store Burglary and Searching for 3 Men Who Ran From Officers

January 6, 2016

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Police officers are currently searching for three men connected with a burglary of a gun store. On Wednesday, January 6, 2015 around 2:45 a.m. officers responded to NRange, located at 9904 Lebanon Road, for a burglary alarm. At the same time, a citizen reported two suspicious vehicles parked on Parrish Hill, where individuals were unloading items out of one car and into another. Around 2:47 a.m., an officer spotted a suspicious car on Lebanon Road and stopped the car on Park Glen Drive. Once the car was stopped, three black men ran from the car and into a nearby wooded area.

Further investigation revealed that four suspects used a Volvo car, stolen out of Metro-Nashville, to crash into the front window of NRange. After crashing into the window, the suspects gained access to the gun store and stole an unknown amount of long guns and handguns. The suspects then drove over to Parrish Hill and unloaded the stolen firearms out of the stolen Volvo and into a Chevrolet Caprice

The Chevrolet was stopped by an officer on Park Glen Drive, and three suspects ran from the officer into a nearby wooded area. Those three suspects are described as young adult black men with a thin build and wearing dark clothing. Multiple firearms were located inside the stopped Chevrolet. The fourth suspect was never spotted by officers, but he was captured on surveillance footage at NRange.

Multiple police officers have flooded the neighborhoods between Park Glen Drive, Curd Road, and Woodridge Place in search of the suspects, who are potentially armed. The suspects have not exhibited violence or aggressive behavior to anyone, but they have ran from police after burglarizing a gun store. The public is encouraged to be vigilant, but they can go about their normal day. If someone suspicious is spotted, the public is urged to call 911. Many officers will remain in the area throughout the morning.

Remember, school is the safest place for children. Adults should wait with children at the bus stop, and children should not walk to school today. Wilson County Schools will proceed as scheduled today, with extra caution being taken at schools in the area. Mt. Juliet High School, Mt. Juliet Middle School, Elzie Patton Elementary School, and West Elementary School. will also be placed on a soft lock-down out of an abundance of caution. Follow Wilson County Schools on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wilsonk12tn for active updates.

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Post on Social Media Creating Attempted Abduction Concern in Providence MarketPlace Conflicts With Police Report

January 5, 2016

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A recent social media post on Facebook, creating concern of an attempted abduction in Providence MarketPlace, conflicts from statements provided to police.  The social media post that contains the statement, “A guy tried pulling me out of my car…,” posted on a popular Facebook blog is much different from the statements provided to investigating officers. On Tuesday, January 5, 2016 around 4:15 p.m., multiple officers were summoned to the Providence MarketPlace parking lot near Ross Dress For Less after a female reported that a male tried to grab her as she was getting out of the car.

However, when officers arrived on the scene, the statements from the female conflicted with the original information provided to police dispatch and posted on social media. On the scene, the 27-year-old female stated that a young male adult, around 18-19 years-of-age, opened her driver door and asked if she needed help getting out of her car. The female then shut her door, and she stated the male walked away nonchalantly. Prior to the encounter, the female complainant stated she witnessed the male walking with a female acquaintance around 18-19 years-of-age near JCPenney. The female complainant stated it appeared that he was dropping her off at JCPenney because the female waved goodbye to the male.

Based on the investigation and statements given to multiple officers, an attempted abduction, or any other crime, did not occur. The male never attempted to grab the female, touch her, pull her out of the vehicle, or threaten her.

Due to the conflicting statements, lack of aggressive behavior, and lack of a crime, the police department felt there was no need to alert the public about this incident. However, when the conflicting statements were posted on social media, creating unnecessary fear amongst the public, the department felt it would be best to correct such false information.

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