Escalating a pattern of dangerous behavior, 17-year-old Nelson Garcia-Arevalo has been charged with felonies after discharging a rifle from a moving vehicle, all while being tracked by a MNPD helicopter. According to a statement from the City of Nashville, Garcia-Arevalo, already on probation following a conviction for aggravated assault against law enforcement, is now facing two counts of felony reckless endangerment among additional charges linked to a recent gun store burglary.
This latest arrest is the sequel to Garcia-Arevalo's troubled past with law enforcement, which includes prior incidents of firing at a police helicopter and detective. Despite his young age, his convictions as an adult have to now led him to be held responsible within the adult court system once again. Accompanying him, two 15-year-olds have also been charged but their cases are to be processed through juvenile court. Their arrests are tied to an ongoing investigation that implicates them in the theft of firearms from a Dickson gun store, as per details provided by the same statement obtained by City of Nashville.
The MNPD helicopter played a key role in monitoring and ultimately aiding in the apprehension of Garcia-Arevalo and his accomplices. The aerial unit observed the suspect's movements for over an hour before ground units intervened, utilizing a spike strip to thwart their escape. The chase concluded shortly after, with the trio abandoning their vehicle and attempting to flee on foot, but were promptly captured by detectives on the scene.
Investigative efforts jointly undertaken by the MNPD, ATF agents, and Dickson detectives appear to have borne fruit, with the recovery of multiple firearms stolen in the Dickson burglary. As conveyed by City of Nashville, "A rifle and four pistols taken in the burglary were recovered today during the arrests of Garcia-Arevalo and the two 15-year-olds." Further pursuits led to the discovery of additional weapons hidden in a wooded area near an Edmondson Pike apartment complex, highlighting the extensive scope of this criminal venture.
The repercussions for Garcia-Arevalo extend beyond Nashville, as the Dickson Police Department is set to levy charges against him relating to the initial gun store burglary. The case will continue to evolve as more details emerge and the judicial process unfolds.
