One suspect is in custody following a string of vehicle burglaries in Mt. Juliet last week.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 happen in our community as often as it has in the past,鈥 MJPD Chief Tyler Chandler said. 鈥淚 have good news and we have a good resolution to where we are headed to in this investigation.鈥
Mt. Juliet Police said there were seven reports of vehicle burglaries in the Hickory Hills area of Mt. Juliet. Around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, dispatch received a call regarding individuals wearing masks walking through the neighborhood. Officers responded and observed several vehicles which were burglarized.
鈥淭ypically in those moments you see car doors that are left open, you see purses or different personal items scattered in the road, and it鈥檚 a huge impact on neighborhood safety,鈥 Chandler said.
Although no suspects were apprehended at the scene, detectives investigated the area and collected evidence which led to obtaining a search warrant for a residence in Hermitage. MJPD coordinated with Metro Nashville Police. Chandler said MJPD utilized license plate readers along Lebanon Road to identify a suspect vehicle and began surveilling that vehicle.
A 24-year-old Hermitage man was taken into custody on failure to appear for felony weapon possession, evading arrest and drug possession charges out of Jackson in West Tennessee.
According to Chandler, during the search of the suspect鈥檚 residence, items believed to be stolen from the Hickory Hills area were reportedly located, including two handguns, jewelry and personal electronic devices.
鈥淥ur detectives are continuing to investigate this and follow-up with it and pursue new leads as other evidence was gained during the search warrant,鈥 Chandler added. 鈥淥ur team is made up of men and women who care deeply about this community.鈥
The suspect鈥檚 identity was not immediately released. A witness in the community said their home surveillance cameras picked up three suspects in total, and Chandler said the investigation is ongoing to identify the additional suspects.
