Juvenile Crime Task Force Recovers Stolen Lexus, Arrests 2 Teens & Recovers 3 Guns In Nashville

Press release from the City of Nashville:

May 28, 2020

A Lexus sedan stolen from the garage of a home on Banbury Station in South Nashville May 19th was on the streets for about a week before the MNPD’s Juvenile Crime Task Force (JCTF) spotted it, got it stopped, arrested two teens and recovered three loaded pistols, at least one of them stolen.

The crimes involving the Lexus began at 4:50 a.m. on May 19th when an SUV backed into the driveway of the victim’s residence. Two young men, apparently teens, burglarized an unlocked pickup truck in the driveway and stole a garage door opener. They then opened the garage and found the Lexus inside with the keys hanging on a rack. Less than three minutes after arriving on the victim’s property, one of the burglars was behind the wheel of the Lexus, backed it out of the garage and drove away (see video).

JCTF officers spotted the Lexus Monday night traveling east on Fairfield Avenue. The 16-year-old driver, who has been arrested multiple times in the past, refused to pull over and fled toward the interstate. Other JCTF officers deployed a spike strip at the entrance to I-40. The Lexus traveled a short distance on damaged tires before exiting I-40 at Fesslers Lane. The 16-year-old and his 17-year-old passenger bailed from the car while it was still moving. The 17-year-old was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. A semi-automatic pistol stolen in Smyrna in 2017 was located along the 17-year-old’s path. The 16-year-old surrendered to an MNPD canine team after he was found hiding in a dumpster. Another loaded gun was found along his flight path. The third pistol was found in the center console of the Lexus.

The 16-year-old is charged with 2nd offense unlawful gun possession, auto theft, felony evading arrest in a motor vehicle, gun theft, and driving without a license. The same 16-year-old was arrested in March of this year for vehicle theft, unlawful gun possession, felony evading arrest and driving without a license. He was arrested in April 2018 for especially aggravated robbery and unlawful gun possession. He was charged in April 2018 with auto theft, reckless driving, failure to report a crash, and failure to render aid.

The 17-year-old passenger in the Lexus is charged with 2nd offense unlawful gun possession, vehicle theft, gun theft and misdemeanor evading arrest.

The MNPD strongly urges citizens to lock their vehicles, even when parked at home in driveways or garages.

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