The Nashville Police Department's concerted effort to clamp down on vehicle theft and associated crimes has hit new heights with the arrest of their thousandth suspect. This milestone comes in the wake of an initiative launched on February 1, aimed squarely at curbing the rising tide of vehicular thefts in the area, as per the Nashville Police Department.
A recovered stolen Dodge Ram 1500 TRX pickup led to the landmark arrest on Wednesday. The vehicle, which was previously involved in a high-speed chase with the police last week, was found near Trinity Lane and Whites Creek Pike. Detectives kept eyes on the truck and identified 28-year-old Corey Harding Jr. as the driver, as reported by the Nashville Police Department. During a chase that ensued, Harding was observed throwing a gun from the window while speeding at around 120 miles per hour. The discarded weapon was later found by authorities at the intersection of Old Hickory Boulevard and Sulpher Creek Road. Harding's flight ended when he abandoned the vehicle in a parking garage on Harding Pike and attempted to blend into a women's boutique.
According to the Nashville Police Department, Harding now faces multiple charges including vehicle theft, being a felon in possession of a gun, evading arrest on two counts, reckless driving, and altering a title, registration, plate, or permit. His bond is set at $93,000. In a related 2023 conviction, Harding was found guilty of felony evading arrest after a stolen vehicle pursuit ended in a crash that resulted in injuries to his passenger.
The initiative has shown significant results beyond the 1,000 arrests. Over the past months, detectives have reclaimed 532 stolen vehicles and 223 firearms, the Nashville Police Department stated.
