Last night, Mt. Juliet police apprehended 19-year-old Santos Velasquez, a teen with a warrant for violent crimes in Rutherford County, following a series of events that began with a failed attempt at a traffic stop and culminated in a capture after a foot chase. According to WKRN, the ordeal started on Interstate 40 near mile marker 224 when Velasquez, who was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed, passed by a police officer and proceeded to sideswipe a truck and trailer causing his vehicle to crash near mile marker 227.
The consequent wreck led Velasquez to threaten a passerby with a knife before sprinting through a parking lot. It was during this tumult that police initiated a containment zone and after the suspect fled, he was later spotted running toward the Meridian Apartments officers managed to apprehend Velasquez following a pursuit on foot. Accompanying Velasquez at the time of the accident was a 16-year-old female from Gallatin found unharmed in the crashed vehicle, who cooperated with law enforcement officials, noted in a press release by the Mt. Juliet Police Department.
Teen Wanted for Violent Crimes in Rutherford County, Out on Bond for Nashville Offenses, Arrested After Fleeing Attempted Traffic Stop, Crashing, and Threatening Bystander with Knife | Details: https://t.co/QV7D8VXX3q
— Mt. Juliet Police (@MtJulietPolice) October 15, 2024
Velasquez, who was out on bond for charges including serial burglary and evading arrest in Nashville, also faced additional charges from Rutherford County for aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated stalking as WSMV reported. The arrest conducted by the Mt. Juliet Police Department resulted in various charges being added to Velasquez's list, such as felony evading, reckless endangerment, and aggravated assault, among others.
