Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives are concerned about the whereabouts of a missing man, and police are hoping to find him safe. 20-year-old Christhian Morales-Perez has not been heard from since Monday, November 6, 2023. The family reported him missing on November 30th.

Christhian Morales-Perez

Christhian left his residence with some personal belongings and car, a 2013 Blue Chevrolet Cruz that is missing the rear bumper. It is unknown what he was wearing last. It is unusual for him not to communicate with his family this long.

If anyone has any information about the whereabouts of Christhian, 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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Evanston, Ill. – The department is pleased to announce the recent graduation of Captain Tyler Chandler and Lieutenant James Cothron from the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University. Both have successfully completed the 22-week Staff and Command program held in Evanston, Illinois, from May 1 to October 1, 2023. The program, implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 21,000 students nationally and internationally. Capt. Chandler and Lt. Cothron were students in SPSC Class #549, accommodating 25 students for twenty-two weeks.

“SPSC and the FBI National Academy are two elite executive leadership schools sought out by law enforcement command staff worldwide. I’m proud of Capt. Chandler and Lt. Cothron on this accomplishment. Typically, students in this program step away from their full-time duties while completing the instruction, but Capt. Chandler and Lt. Cothron remain focused on their normal work duties while excelling in the program, which showed great determination,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick. “Their heart and dedication to our community and department are outstanding, and I’m grateful for their continued investment and leadership.”

The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction in twenty-seven core instruction blocks and additional optional blocks during each session. The major topics include leadership, human resources, employee relations, organizational behavior, applied statistics, planning and policy development, budgeting, and resource allocation. Each student is academically challenged through written examinations, projects, presentations, quizzes, and a staff study paper, which are all required parts of the curriculum.

The Center for Public Safety was established at Northwestern University in 1936 with the specific goal of expanding university-based education and training for the Law Enforcement Community. Since its inception, the Center has broadened its original objective and now provides a variety of courses and programs in the area of Police Training, Management Training, and Executive Development.

Capt. Chandler and Lt. Cothron are the 3rd and 4th department members to complete such a rigorous program. Lt. Cothron leads the Investigative Services Division, and Capt. Chandler will be sworn in as the Deputy Chief of Police next week after serving as Captain for many years.

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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 Sunday, December 10, 2023. Starting at 1:45 p.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 1:30 p.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 attend the parade, the police department suggests arriving before the 1:30 p.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 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 3:00 p.m.

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

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11/10/23 11:00 p.m. Update: Detectives have recovered the SUV, involved in this evening’s shooting incident at Target, at a location in Nashville. Strong leads continue be pursued in apprehending those responsible.

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A man attempting to sell a firearm in a parking lot was ambushed, shot at, and returned fire during a robbery attempt. Friday evening around 6:00 p.m., Mt. Juliet’s emergency communications center received calls of “active shooting and people ducking behind cars,” in the Target parking lot in Providence Marketplace at 401 S. Mt. Juliet Road.

The incident occurred when two parties met in the Target parking for what was believed to be the sell of a firearm. While the seller, accompanied by his wife in the car, was meeting an individual who was buying the firearm, the seller was ambushed by a second person who began firing shots along with the buyer. The victim immediately ran to his car, grabbing a firearm, to return fire. While the two parties exchanged gunfire, both suspects fled in an SUV. MJPD’s license plate readers captured the license plate of the suspect SUV that is registered out of Nashville. Multiple shell casings were found in the Target parking lot, and one bullet went through a window at the Red Robin restaurant. Two off-duty MJPD officers were eating at Red Robin, heard the gunfire, and immediately ran to the incident

The victim and his wife remained on the scene and are cooperating with the investigation. Three suspects are believed to be a part of this incident between the driver, supposed buyer, and person who first opened fire. The remaining suspects are not believed to still be in the area.

The department encourages everyone, who is attempting to sell something to a stranger, to meet them in safe transaction locations designated at local police departments.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A vigilant officer intercepted theft suspects yesterday morning after stopping a car for driving without headlights and observing one occupant remove a false tag covering the legitimate license plate. Once speaking with the occupants, the officer noticed likely stolen items and, shortly after, heard the communications center dispatch another officer to a burglary report in the Mt. Juliet Village shopping center at 11237 Lebanon Road. The officer then learned that he had likely just stopped the theft suspects after they committed smash-and-grab burglaries on three cars.

While the car stop was underway, officers responded to the Mt. Juliet Village parking lot around 5:40 a.m. to investigate three car burglaries where the passenger side window was busted to gain access to purses. During the car stop, officers discovered marijuana, several purses, handbags, backpacks, and wallets that did not belong to any of the car’s occupants. Additionally, officers found a window punch. The items stolen from the recent Mt. Juliet-related burglaries were recovered and returned to the victims.

Further investigation revealed that the suspects were arrested and bonded out for similar crimes in Arkansas on October 21, 2023. After being released from jail, they traveled to Nashville to continue committing burglaries. They focused on fitness center parking lots due to the likelihood of people frequently leaving valuable items in their cars while engaging in fitness activities. The department encourages everyone never to leave items of value unsecured in any vehicle parked in a parking lot or driveway.

The following were arrested and charged:

 

Malik Davis, 24, of Stockbridge, Georgia

• Burglary to a Vehicle – 2 counts
• Vandalism – 3 counts
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Simple Possession of a Sch. VI Drug
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Avira Mitchell, 20, of Fayetteville, Georgia

• Criminal Conspiracy to Burglary to a Vehicle – 2 counts
• Criminal Conspiracy to Vandalism – 3 counts
• Possession of Burglary Tools
• Simple Possession of a Sch. VI Drug
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

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Halloween is always a busy evening in Mt. Juliet, and safety will be a top priority as officers deploy to neighborhoods. Many officers will serve tomorrow to ensure neighborhoods are safe while trick-or-treaters are out and about. This effort is quite the tradition for the department, where patrol staffing is tripled, so neighborhoods have a visible police presence to ensure all have a safe, enjoyable time. Everyone should be prepared and mindful of children’s safety by following simple safety precautions. The most significant risk to a child on Halloween is being struck by a vehicle. Therefore, to raise awareness, officers on patrol will hand out candy and reflective wristbands to children.

Mt. Juliet’s residents are also a huge part of what keeps Mt. Juliet’s streets as safe as possible. Any unsafe mischief or driving behavior should be reported to the police department immediately so it can be stopped. Also, police will be monitoring parking on city streets. Visitors and residents should be mindful of where they park so the roadway is not blocked.

Safe Kids Worldwide says children are twice as likely to be in a fatal pedestrian accident on Halloween than on any other day. Therefore, parents should ensure their child’s costume is visible at night to motorists. There are several reasons why children are more likely to be hurt in pedestrian accidents, which include:

• They often choose to take the shortest route, which may mean darting out between parked cars than taking the safer route of crossing at corners.
• They’re poor at evaluating potential traffic threats.
• They’re more likely to disregard their peripheral vision and are less attentive to their street surroundings.
• They tend to believe they’re indestructible and are more likely to take risks.
• They need to be told that some people driving cars will not slow down for them.
• They can’t cross streets as rapidly as adults.
• They may be distracted by other children’s costumes, behaviors, and home decorations.

From everyone at Mt. Juliet Police, we wish you a safe Halloween. The department can be contacted at (615) 754-2550 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency) to report any problems, observations, or safety concerns.

A list of Halloween Health and Safety Tips can be viewed here: http://www.safekids.org/halloween.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Just before Noon, the Mt. Juliet Police Department was notified by Nashville authorities about an ambulance that had just been stolen from Summit Medical Center. It was being tracked by GPS information, and that information was relayed to Mt. Juliet officers who located the ambulance off of Central Pike. Officers successfully deployed a spike system, which deflated some tires. The suspect continued to flee, and the pursuit continued to Stewarts Ferry Pike near Hickory Hill Court, where the suspect began to run away from the disabled ambulance. Officers quickly took the suspect into custody.

While the suspect was evading officers at the Mt. Juliet Road overpass, it purposely struck two cars. During the crash, one individual was injured and transported to the hospital with minor injuries. A Mt. Juliet officer involved in the apprehension injured their arm, and they were treated and released from the hospital.

Metro-Nashville and Mt. Juliet Police Officers were involved in the apprehension of the suspect, 45-year-old Gary Mabry of Mt. Juliet, and he is in custody with Metro-Nashville Police. Mabry was charged in Wilson County for crimes related to the pursuit.

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From the City of Mt. Juliet, City Manager’s Office-

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. — Michael Mullins has been named Chief of Police for the Mt. Juliet Police Department, effective December 15 following the previously announced retirement of Chief James Hambrick.
Mullins has been with the department for 26 years and is currently the Deputy Chief of Police. Tyler Chandler, a 19-year member of the department and current captain, will be promoted to Deputy Chief of Police.

City Manager Kenny Martin announced the promotions Friday morning in front of a large crowd that gathered for the groundbreaking of a new $20 + million-dollar police headquarters that will be completed in 2025.

“I’m so proud and thankful for this wonderful blessing for our city and citizens,” Martin said. “We could not have found a pair with more experience and love for Mt. Juliet than Michael Mullins and Tyler Chandler to continue to lead our brave men and women of the Mt. Juliet Police Department.”

Mullins in his current role directly oversees the operational functions of the Patrol, Investigations, Special Operations, Canine, Training and Development, and Animal Control divisions. He most notably recently graduated from the 286th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

“God has blessed both of us with an incredible opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Chief Hambrick, who we cannot thank enough for serving our city so well for so long,” Mullins said. “I’m proud to have Tyler with me continuing to lead our department. Together we will work hard to better our community.”

Chandler has served as third-in-command, previously led the Community Engagement Unit as a Sergeant and Administrative Services Division as a Lieutenant. He is responsible for enhancing the department’s strategic growth, transparency, communication, and community engagement efforts in his Public Information Officer role.

“I am truly grateful for this next chapter and humbled to serve my home and the best community,” Chandler, who also administers the license plate recognition program, said. “It is an honor to continue supporting the dedicated men and women of Team MJPD and serve alongside Chief Mullins. Together, we will strive to ensure the safety and well-being of our community, working diligently to maintain the trust that has been placed in us.”

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Police Department is excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for their new headquarters facility, scheduled for September 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. This highly anticipated event marks an important milestone in the department’s commitment to providing exceptional public safety services to the community.

The state-of-the-art facility will house an advanced police, fire, and EMS communications center and an emergency coordination center. Additionally, the building will feature a community storm shelter, enhanced vehicular and ballistic protection, more extensive evidence storage, and an evidence processing laboratory. Further, the facility will also include modern K9 kennels, a vehicle processing garage, and larger training rooms.

One of the key advantages of the new headquarters is the consolidation of all divisions back into a centralized location, allowing for improved efficiency in administration, patrol, and investigations. This unified approach will foster better collaboration and communication among members of the police department, ultimately leading to enhanced public safety services.

As part of our commitment to future planning and accommodating the city’s growth, the design of the new headquarters focuses on open workspaces and multifunctional rooms. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the approximately 45,000-square-foot building will adapt to the community’s evolving needs.

“This new headquarters facility represents a significant step forward for the Mt. Juliet Police Department. We are excited to provide our officers with a modern, efficient workspace that will enable them to continue serving and protecting our community with utmost dedication, said Chief James Hambrick. I am grateful for all the continued support from our Mayor Maness, Vice-Mayor Trivett, Commissioner Justice, Commissioner Hefner, Commissioner Milele, past Commissioners, and City Leadership who have assisted us in this 2-year process.”

Community members and local officials are invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. We encourage everyone to witness this historic event as we embark on a new chapter in our commitment to keeping our community safe. The groundbreaking will occur in the newly purchased field adjacent to the current police headquarters, 1019 Charlie Daniels Parkway, on Friday, September 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

Captain Tyler Chandler led the project for the department alongside the design team, Architect Workshop, and contractor, The Parent Company. Every department member has been integral to the design process through their invaluable feedback.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Officers recovered two handguns while investigating an altercation involving two 17-year-old males at Willow Creek Apartments. Around 1:45 p.m. on Friday, August 25, officers responded to Willow Creek Apartments after a fight was reported in the parking lot. It was reported that two teenagers were actively involved in a fight, and they were likely armed. An officer arrived to find two suspects running away, and they were quickly apprehended by additional responding officers.

Further investigation revealed that the two 17-year-old males were actually in an altercation with another adult male and one of the teen’s mother. After one teen was located, two Glock handguns, both with extended magazines, were found with a large amount of marijuana. One of the guns was reported stolen.

Both teens were taken into custody and are facing the following charges:

Juvenile 1:

• 2 counts of Assault
• Possession of a Stolen Handgun
• Theft of a Firearm

Juvenile 2:

• Assault
• Possession of a Stolen Handgun
• Possession of a Schedule VI Drug for Resale

One of the teens was on supervised release probation.

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