Five Persons Arrested In Stolen Car That Traveled In Excess Of 120 Mph To Avoid Officers In Nashville

Press release from the City of Nashville:

May 8, 2020

Juvenile Crime Task Force officers late Thursday night teamed together to stop a stolen Kia Sorento that traveled on the interstate system in excess of 120 mph.

Officers were in the area of Moorewood Drive and Brick Church Pike when they spotted the Kia, which had been stolen from Olive Branch, Mississippi. The driver, Marlo Watkins, 20, of Memphis, initially pulled over, but then accelerated away. Officer Jessica Johann attempted to deploy a spike strip on Brick Church Pike at Briley Parkway. Watkins changed several lanes and drove directly at Officer Johann, causing her to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. Another officer ultimately spiked the car’s tires on I-24 west near Briley Parkway. Watkins and his four passengers, all Nashville teenagers, remained in the car and were taken into custody.

Watkins is charged with auto theft, felony evading arrest, aggravated assault on a police officer and driving on a suspended license. All of his passengers are charged with auto theft.

This press release was produced by the City of Nashville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.