Belmont-Area Rape Suspect Arrested After All-Day Search

NASHVILLE, TN — Jason Jarrell Williams, suspected of a brutal Monday rape near Belmont, was arrested Tuesday after an all-day search.

Someone spotted Williams late Tuesday morning near Thompson Lane and Nolensville Pike. He then fled police toward Collier and Tanksley avenues. Officers went door to door and used a helicopter to track him, but were unsuccessful. Around 4:45 Tuesday afternoon, Williams emerged from a crawl space of a South Nashville home and ran, but was captured and put under arrest.

Earlier Tuesday, patrol officers saw Williams on a porch on Tanksley Avenue, apparently charging his cell phone, Tuesday morning, according to Metro Police. When he saw the patrol car, he jumped a fence and ran away.

St. Edward Elementary School on Thompson Lane was locked down briefly during that search for Williams.

Williams is charged with especially aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. Monday, a woman told police she was awoken in her apartment by a man who was carrying a razor blade. Police said the man sexually assaulted and cut the woman. The man then forced the woman to drive him to an ATM on 21st Avenue and then to McIver Street off Nolensville Pike in South Nashville. He then fled into a church parking lot. After examining ATM surveillance footage, police identified Williams as the suspected rapist.

Image via Metro Police