Three men were arrested in Nashville after they allegedly scaled the AT&T building, often referred to as the "Batman building," on Sunday afternoon. A witness on Broadway alerted the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) around 4:40 p.m., raising concerns about suspicious activity as they observed the trio atop Tennessee's tallest tower. According to a press release obtained by WKRN, the men were initially undetectable when officers and an MNPD helicopter searched the roof.
Following a meticulous search, the suspects were found hiding in a locked bathroom stall on the 24th floor. Metro police said that one of the men, while at gunpoint, was ordered to show their hands under the stall door by an officer, a detail shared by NewsChannel5. All three complied and were arrested at about 6:30 p.m. The men have been identified as 26-year-old Jacob Thomas Cieszynski from Chicago, Illinois; 26-year-old Chase Cooper Lester from Culloden, Georgia; and 20-year-old Ryan James McGarrity from Laguna Woods, California.
Each of the adventurers is charged with aggravated trespassing and disorderly conduct, with Lester facing additional charges for possessing burglary tools after officers located a crowbar and screwdriver in his backpack. Confiscated from the group were several cameras, including a GoPro. "Batman building," said the MNPD in a statement obtained by WSMV. According to the individuals, the ascent was made possible through what they claimed was an unsecured door.
The quick response of MNPD officers and the assistance of the police helicopter, though initially fruitless on the rooftop, eventually led to the suspects' apprehension. The actions of the observant civilian who reported the incident were lauded by Metro police, emphasizing that "We all benefit by each another’s vigilance" as noted by NewsChannel5, thus illustrating the crucial role the public plays in conjunction with law enforcement efforts to maintain safety and order.
