MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) -- What started as a Sunday afternoon traffic stop in Mt. Juliet turned into two arrests and a "significant discovery" connecting multiple thefts around Middle Tennessee, according to officials.
The Mt. Juliet Police Department (MJPD) said officers stopped a vehicle for following too closely along Lebanon Road on Sunday, March 16. As a result, law enforcement reportedly found two stolen handguns, stolen IDs, credit cards, key fobs, gloves, ski masks, marijuana, and fentanyl.
Authorities said a passenger in the vehicle -- described as a 19-year-old Franklin man -- had active warrants in Nashville for violating probation related to domestic assault, as well as Fairview for felony theft.
The passenger was taken into custody, along with the 19-year-old Fairview woman who was driving the car, officials said. They are both facing charges related to the possession of stolen property and drugs.
According to police, one of the guns they recovered had been stolen from a Montgomery County home on Feb. 18. The second gun was reportedly taken during a Shelbyville car burglary on Feb. 25.
Authorities said this discovery has "connected multiple theft incidents across the Midstate," so Mt. Juliet detectives are working with other law enforcement agencies to further the investigation.
"We’re grateful for our vigilant officers and their proactive efforts that continue to keep Mt. Juliet one of the safest communities around," MJPD posted on social media, along with a video showing guns and other items on the hood of a patrol car. "Their dedication to protecting our community never goes unnoticed."
"Our team shows up every day, ready to protect and serve, and this is a perfect example of their hard work paying off. What started as a proactive stop turned into the recovery of stolen guns, stolen property, and dangerous drugs—connecting crimes across multiple communities," MJPD Deputy Chief Tyler Chandler said in a statement. "This kind of police work doesn’t happen by accident. It takes vigilance, dedication, commitment, and strong support from the community. I’m proud of our staff who put in the effort day in and day out to protect MJ and beyond. Their work matters, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for having their back and supporting them."
No additional details have been released about Sunday's incident, including the identities of the two teens who were arrested.
