News

Actions

Stolen cars are just the beginning for young criminals. Police say other crimes are soon to follow.

Posted at 4:39 PM, Aug 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-19 20:08:48-04

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. — This past weekend, two people were killed in a single car crash in Donelson.

The car was stolen.

Inside the car, Metro police found three guns. It's unclear whether or not they were stolen.

Two others would survive the crash: one taken to the hospital, the other running away. But all four involved were younger; one of the teens killed was 19 years old. The teen taken to the hospital was also 19.

According to Hendersonville Police Detective Betsy Mullins, that's a common theme among many of their car thefts. "It's just kind of a crime of opportunity," Mullins said. "If they come across cars breaking into and they find keys. They're going to steal the vehicle."

And it doesn't stop there.

"They drive around, they commit more crime," Mullins said." They're committing car jackings. They're committing robberies and other auto burglaries."

HPD often recovers the vehicles stolen in the city, but many don't stay in Hendersonville for long, often being taken to Nashville.

"About a month ago we had a stolen Acura at the Hyundai dealership," Mullins said. "The victim pulled up at the dealership, left it running and went inside to make contact with an employee of the Hyundai dealership. Within 10 minutes her vehicle was taken."

The gray Acura TL is still missing. However, Metro Police spotted it near Buchanan Street and Dr. DB Todd Boulevard, but it wasn't able to be recovered.

The continuing problem can be frustrating, Mullins admits.

"Juveniles are out of control. We just need them to know that we're not going to tolerate that in Hendersonville. We're going to do everything in our power to ensure that they're apprehended and justice is served."