A tense Tuesday in La Vergne ended with several suspects in handcuffs after an armed robbery turned into a chase across town. Police say quick work by officers, plus a steady stream of tips from residents, helped track down a red two-door Infiniti whose occupants allegedly brandished AR-style rifles during a robbery. The pursuit ended after spike strips were used to stop the car, and multiple people were taken into custody without further injury, according to city officials.
In a Facebook update from the La Vergne Police Department, officers say witnesses and community tips helped them zero in on the Infiniti, which matched descriptions from the armed robbery. Once officers located the car, they pursued it until spike strips disabled the vehicle and brought it to a safe stop. The department reports that several suspects were detained without further incident.
Police say the group is accused of stealing wallets and credit cards from a victim, and that officers saw a firearm tossed from the vehicle during the chase. Investigators recovered a Taurus 9mm handgun and an AR-style "ghost gun" with no serial number. They also report finding a green leafy substance inside the Infiniti, along with one round in the rifle’s chamber.
How the Pursuit Ended and What Officers Found
Per the La Vergne Police Department official page, officers coordinated a targeted response that prioritized public safety while they tried to intercept the fleeing car. The site lists the department’s Murfreesboro Road station and a non-emergency tip line, which officials say played a role as residents phoned in information during the incident.
Investigators state that the Infiniti has been impounded and the seized firearms will be processed as evidence as the case moves toward prosecutors. That work, they note, will help build the timeline of the robbery, the pursuit and what was recovered from the vehicle and along the route.
Charges and Next Steps
The department’s La Vergne Police Department post states that several individuals are now facing a slate of serious felony counts. Listed charges include aggravated robbery, evading arrest, reckless driving, tampering with evidence and multiple possession-related offenses. Officials say the suspects were detained and will face formal charging decisions by local prosecutors as the investigation continues.
Detectives are still piecing together the full sequence of events and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or the pursuit to come forward. Police say additional details will be released as charges are filed and court proceedings begin.
Why the 'Ghost Gun' Detail Matters
The AR-style rifle recovered without a serial number fits what is commonly called a "ghost gun." Because it lacks identifying markings, tracing its origin or ownership can be much more difficult for investigators. Recent federal rule changes expanded the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives definition of frames and receivers to include many build-it-yourself parts kits, a shift meant to improve firearm traceability, according to the Congressional Research Service. Those rules are part of a broader push to help law enforcement track weapons recovered at crime scenes.
What Residents Should Know
La Vergne police publicly thanked the residents who called in tips and shared information during and after the incident. Officials are still asking anyone with photos, video or firsthand details of the robbery or chase to contact the department or Rutherford County Crime Stoppers.
The case remains an active investigation, and authorities say more information will be made public as the suspects move through the charging process and additional evidence is reviewed.
