Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Mt. Juliet Police was involved in a low-speed pursuit that began on Interstate 40 in Mt. Juliet this afternoon. Around 4:15 p.m., a Mt. Juliet Police Officer noticed a black Chevrolet Avalanche truck that was missing a registration plate. The officer attempted a traffic stop on Interstate 40 eastbound near the 228 mile-marker when the driver, later identified as Justin Gaines, 29, of Franklin, refused to stop. A vehicle pursuit ensued on Interstate 40 into Lebanon, and Gaines exited the interstate at the Highway 109 interchange. Turning off Highway 109, Gaines continued to evade officers on Leeville Pike.

Gaines finally made the decision to quit evading in the 4200 block of Leeville Pike, where he was taken into custody without incident. Further investigation revealed that Gaines was in possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended driver’s license. In addition, he was wanted out of Rutherford County for probation violations.

The pursuit lasted approximately 6 minutes and traversed approximately 6 miles, with speeds remaining near the speed limit. There were no other incidents attributed to Gaines’s attempt to evade police. Gaines was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail and was charged with the following:

• Evading Arrest
• Driving While License Suspended
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

###

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Police Explorers Post 465 has announced the date for the annual Mt. Juliet Police Explorers Golf Tournament. The tournament is scheduled for Friday, October 25, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with lunch and registration beginning at 11:30 a.m.

You are invited to join Police Chief James Hambrick and other Police Officers at a fun event that will benefit the youth of Mt. Juliet. The tournament will take place at Windtree Golf Club in Mt. Juliet, and registration is $100.00 per player. Windtree Golf Club is widely regarded as one of Nashville’s finest-conditioned public golf courses. Golfers of all abilities will appreciate this wonderfully playable, well-maintained golf course and tournament.

Since the tournament’s inception in 2001, the event has generated funding for the Mt. Juliet Police Department’s Explorer program, and it has provided financial assistance to the department’s Christmas giving program: Shop With a Cop.

Donations from this event will aid youth related programs, including sending the Explorer Post to competitions within the state to compete in police-related simulated exercises with other explorer posts. In addition, donations aid in purchasing uniforms and equipment for the police explorer youth.

Anyone interested in participating or providing a sponsorship is asked to call Officer James Christensen of the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 773-6253 or email at jchristensen@cityofmtjuliet.org.

###

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A trio of serial shoplifters were arrested after Mt. Juliet Police responded to a theft in-progress call at Target on Monday afternoon. Target’s loss prevention team recognized the shoplifters as suspects from previous thefts and notified police once they looked familiar. The loss prevention team was helpful in relaying the proper information to Mt. Juliet Police so the three thieves could be apprehended. The first, Terry Dunn, 25, of Baxter, Tenn., was apprehended as he waited outside in the parking lot with the getaway car. Two other thieves were apprehended as they attempted to leave Target. They were identified as Dustin Burgess, 26, and Karla Montgomery, 24, both of Cookeville, Tenn.

Further investigation revealed stolen merchandise in the getaway vehicle valued at over $600.00 that was taken from the Wal-Mart in Hermitage, Tenn. earlier in the day. The getaway car was also prepared for a quick exit with the keys in the ignition and trunk open, waiting for the stolen goods. Officers also located marijuana roaches on Dunn’s person. The recovered stolen property was returned to the proper stores. Mt. Juliet Police detectives believe that the three have been involved in previous thefts at the Target in Mt. Juliet and other stores in the area. The investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending.

The three were arrested, booked into the Wilson County Jail, and charged with the following:

Theft of Property (TCA 39-14-103)

Simple Possession Sch. VI (TCA 39-17-418)

Theft of Property (TCA 39-14-103)

Theft of Property (TCA 39-14-103)

###

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A man wanted by the Metro-Nashville Police Department for felony probation violations is in custody after a six hour standoff with Mt. Juliet Police Department. Brian Crafton, 33, of Primm Springs, Tenn. barricaded himself in his ex-wife’s home on Meadowview Drive, and he refused to come out after numerous requests from Mt. Juliet’s Crisis Negotiation team.

Around 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon, a Mt. Juliet Police officer spotted Crafton near the Meadowview Drive home. Crafton also spotted the officer and quickly went inside the home. Officers established a perimeter around the home to ensure Crafton did not get away. His ex-wife and two young children were safely removed from the home during the standoff. Six other nearby homes had to be evacuated as a safety precaution. Crisis Negotiators attempted to contact Crafton many times during the evening by requesting a peaceful surrender, but he was unresponsive. Therefore, Mt. Juliet’s Special Response Team (SRT) deployed gas canisters to force Crafton out of the home. SRT members successfully took Crafton into custody after he was found exiting the crawlspace underneath the home around 10:00 p.m. Investigation revealed that Crafton initially was hiding in the attic of the home, but he broke through the floor to gain access to the crawlspace in an attempt to further evade officers.

“I’m thankful that our officers were able to successfully apprehend Mr. Crafton,” stated Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick. “Officers were diligent and worked hard to make a successful arrest.”

Crafton was on probation for Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, and he has a dangerous, criminal past. The incident ended peacefully with no injuries. Crafton was arrested, booked into the Wilson County jail, and charged with the following:

• Reckless Endangerment
• Resisting Arrest

He will eventually be transferred to Metro-Nashville to face three felony probation violation charges. 

###

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Quick, heavy rains brought flash flooding to Mt. Juliet that closed many roads and prompted a water rescue. Around 6:30 a.m. Thursday morning, Mt. Juliet Police Communications began to receive calls of rising water on roadways. The following roads were closed due to flash flood waters:

• Old Lebanon Dirt Road near Page Drive (Road Remains Closed)
• Old Lebanon Dirt Road near Valley Center (Road Remains Closed)
• W. Division St near Wilson/Davidson County Line (Road Remains Closed)
• Curd Road near Mt. Juliet High School
• Nonaville Road near Windtree Golf Course
• Sunset Circle near Lebanon Road
• York Road near Lebanon Road
• Willow Creek Drive
• SE Springdale Drive
• Sunnymeade Drive
• Maricourt Street
• Sports Road

A water rescue was also conducted at a home in the 3000 block of West Division Street. Two elderly residents were trapped inside their home due to flood waters. One of the residents called 911 because they were afraid of the rising water. A water rescue team from Wilson EMA quickly responded to the scene, and they did an excellent job in evacuating the residents to safety. Both elderly residents are safe, unharmed, and on dry land.

A few motorists, who dangerously drove through flood waters, stalled and flooded their vehicles. In addition, some homes in the Mt. Juliet area have been affected by flood waters. Mt. Juliet’s Public Works department is conducting a survey of damage, and those results are not available at this time. The major flash flooding impacted roadways for nearly two hours during the heavy rains.

Thankfully, no one was seriously injured or killed during this flood event.

Flooding Photos:

Quick Water Rescue Scene Video:

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – It is that time of year again when big yellow buses and students start making their way back to school, but that is not the only thing motorists will see in school zones. The Mt. Juliet Police Department is going to be out in force ensuring that motorists drive safely on August 1, 2013 as Wilson County Schools begin the new school year.

Many members of the department, including Chief James Hambrick and his Command staff, will be conducting strict enforcement in and around school zones this Thursday and following weeks. In addition to the speed limit in school zones, officers will be focusing on school bus stop-arm violations, the Texting While Driving law, seat belt law, and child passenger safety laws as part of this effort. These enforcement efforts will be done throughout the school year with an increased focus during the first few weeks of school as drivers and students become familiar with the school zones and new traffic flow. Additional officers will be deployed during arrival and dismissal times while students are traveling to and departing from school.

“Extra attentiveness by drivers and pedestrians is extremely important and can save a life,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick, “Regardless of whether or not a driver is in a school zone, I encourage all drivers to monitor their speed when traveling through areas where students may be walking or waiting on a bus as they make their way to the classroom.”

The Mt. Juliet Police Department’s goal is to ensure the safety of our children as they travel to and from school throughout the year, and officers will be out to ensure those who jeopardize the safety of our children are stopped.

###

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Additional Mt. Juliet Police Officers will hit the streets on the evening of Friday, August 2, 2013 in an effort to curb impaired driving and impaired-related crashes. Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols will be conducted in the Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet Road, West Division St, and Belinda Parkway areas that evening.

 “We recognize the danger presented to the public by those who make the terrible decision to drive while impaired,” said Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick. “Therefore, officers will concentrate their efforts on motorists who operate a vehicle while impaired.”

###

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – San Antonio Freeman is currently wanted on many active warrants for the aggravated armed robbery attempt that occurred on Thursday, July 11, 2013 on Curd Road.

The investigation revealed that the victim was in the 700 block of Curd Road when two male suspects approached the victim outside and attempted to rob him. A third suspect waited nearby in a vehicle. During the attempted robbery, there was a brief struggle. A suspect fired a shot from a handgun towards the victim. After the shot was fired, the suspects fled the area in a silver car. Fortunately, the victim was not hit by the gunshot. Investigators worked swiftly to identify the suspects, and two of the three are in custody. Roderick Majors, 23, of Lebanon, and Mario Newsome, 24, of Nashville, were arrested and charged with their involvement in the robbery. San Antonio Freeman, 17, of Lebanon was the shooter during the incident, and police are requesting the public’s help in locating him. Mr. Freeman should be considered armed and dangerous. 

In addition to the aforementioned case, Mr. Freeman has warrants on file from the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department from a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle that took place on Sunday, July 14^th, 2013.

San Antonio Freeman, 17, of Lebanon is wanted for the following:

• Aggravated Assault
• Aggravated Robbery
• Reckless Endangerment (3 counts)
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Felony Evading
• Possession of Stolen Property

Anyone who has any information in regards to the location of this suspect is asked to contact the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward, contact (615) 754-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips can also be submitted on the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org/ .

 ###

Copy of Court Order Permitting the Use of Photographic Image of Minor: SAFreemanPhotographUseCourtOrder

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A 23-year-old man from Nashville was shot at during an attempted robbery on Curd Road in Mt. Juliet Thursday evening. A nearby resident called 911 stating she had just heard a gunshot in the area around 8:00 p.m. Mt. Juliet Police officers immediately responded to the scene, but the suspects and victim had already fled. The victim then drove to the Mt. Juliet Police headquarters to speak with officers. The preliminary investigation reveals that the victim was in the 700 block of Curd Road when two male suspects approached the victim outside and attempted to rob him. A third suspect waited nearby in a vehicle. During the attempted robbery, there was a brief struggle. A suspect fired a shot from a handgun towards the victim. After the shot was fired, the suspects fled the area in a silver car. Fortunately, the victim was not hit by the gunshot.

Investigators with Mt. Juliet’s Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene for a more in-depth investigation. The investigators worked swiftly to identify the suspects, and two of the three are in custody. Roderick Majors, 23, from Lebanon, and Mario Newsome, 24, from Nashville, were arrested and charged with their involvement in the robbery. A 17-year-old male was involved as well, but he has not been apprehended.

“Our investigators work so hard to ensure dangerous criminals are quickly apprehended,” stated Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick. “The offenders’ behavior was extremely dangerous, and our community will not tolerate it. We, as a department, are going to do everything we can to keep this activity out of our wonderful city.”

Two adults were arrested, booked into the Wilson County Jail, and charged with the following:

Roderick Majors, age 23 of Lebanon, Tenn.

• Criminal Attempt (Aggravated Robbery) TCA 39-13-402
• Criminal Conspiracy TCA 39-12-103

Mr. Majors was also wanted by the Metro-Nashville Police Department for Failure to Appear, and he was wanted by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department for Burglary.

Mario Newsome, age 24, of Nashville, Tenn.

• Criminal Attempt (Aggravated Robbery) TCA 39-13-402
• Criminal Conspiracy TCA 39-12-103

Mr. Newsome was arrested in Lebanon’s public housing where he was banned from coming on property. He was charged for trespassing by Lebanon Police Department.

Wilson County Sheriff’s and Lebanon Police Department assisted in the suspects’ apprehension.

Anyone with any information on 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/ .

###

The Mt. Juliet Police Department’s Twitter account has more followers than most of the other police departments of its size in the United States. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Center for Social Media’s recently released top ten list for “Most Twitter Followers”, the Mt. Juliet Police Department ranked as #7 in a top 10 list of agencies with 26 to 49 sworn officers. Mt. Juliet Police is only one of two Tennessee agencies to be ranked for their Twitter presence. The other agency is Franklin Police Department.

Mt. Juliet Police began its social media presence in 2011. Utilizing Twitter and Facebook, the department has enhanced its communication with the public by providing another avenue to keep the public informed. The communication isn’t just one-way either. Followers are able to engage the department with questions, concerns, and praise through the social media sites.

“Our presence in social media has been very positive. I think all police department’s should have a social media presence.” stated Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick. “Everywhere I go, I am constantly getting comments and appreciation for our use of Twitter and Facebook. I’m pleased our department has so many followers and to make the IACP’s list.”

The social media accounts are monitored by the department’s Community Policing Division, which handles media and community relations for the agency. However, the social media presence is truly a department-wide effort. Many of the department’s employees contribute to different posts that are sent out on the sites. Twitter and Facebook is not monitored 24/7, so it is not a substitute for requesting police assistance. Currently, Mt. Juliet Police has 3,150 Twitter followers and 3,459 Facebook likes.

IACP’s List of U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies with the Most Twitter Followers: http://www.iacpsocialmedia.org/Directory/AgencyTwitterStatistics.aspx