Clarksville police officers successfully apprehend burglary suspects

By Officer Natalie Hall, Clarksville Police Department

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – On March 7, 2014, Officers Joshua Smith and Sean Walden responded to the area of Pageant Lane and Madison Street in reference to a call for service regarding someone possibly discarding a long gun.

While in the area, Officer Smith noticed three individuals who appeared to be looking for something around the Ball Field at Mericourt Park. Officer Smith made contact with two of the individuals, and they were identified.

During a consent search of their person, Officer Smith and Officer Walden identified items on both individuals that linked them to the burglary that occurred at A.S.R Tobacco, located on 10th St. Upon talking to suspect 1, he indicated to Officer Smith that the other items were located at a Central Ave address or at his homeless encampment under the Confederate Memorial Bridge. Suspect 1 could not provide a numerical for the Central Ave address.

After receiving consent to search the encampment, Officers traveled to suspect 1 and suspect 2’s encampment to conduct a search. Officer Smith searched the encampment and he located a small amount of marijuana in suspect 2’s property.

Detective Kenny Bradley responded to the scene and continued the investigation. After the search, suspect 1 told Officers he could not provide them with the specific numeric for the address on Central Ave; however, suspect 2 could show Officers where the house was on Central Ave. Suspect 2 took
Officers to the Central Ave address.

Detective Bradley obtained consent to search the residence from the current tenant. During the search, Officer Walden and Detective Bradley located the stolen items. The items that suspect 1 had in his possession matched up to the items taken during the burglary of A.S.R Tobacco.

In addition, Officers located several backpacks and a baseball bat. Officers knew, based on the surveillance video, the suspects of the A.S.R. burglary had the same type of backpacks and baseball bat when they committed the burglary. The baseball bat was used to shatter the glass to the door of A.S.R Tobacco. The aforementioned facts resulted with Detective Bradley charging both suspects with the A.S.R. Tobacco burglary.

Officer Smith, Officer Walden, and Detective Bradley’s actions and attention to detail bring credit to themselves and the Clarksville Police Department.