Outstanding work by Violent Crimes Division detectives led to the safe, successful arrest of four teenagers connected to three robberies throughout the city last night. A carjacking at 550 Harding Place was being investigated when a robbery with matching suspect descriptions was reported at 200 Paragon Mills Road.
The 2010 Hyundai Accent that was carjacked from Harding Place was tracked to Blackman Drive near Edmondson Pike. Detectives quickly discovered the Hyundai was traveling with a silver convertible Ford Mustang that was also reported stolen. The Ford was carjacked from 600 Whispering Hills Drive earlier in the evening.
Through assistance from MNPD and THP helicopters, the cars were followed to a gas station at Elysian Fields Road and Nolensville Pike. Both suspect vehicles left the gas station and split up.
Spike strips were deployed to stop the Hyundai on Elysian Fields Road near Danby Drive. A 17-year-old and his 16-year-old female passenger were taken into custody. The 17-year-old was charged with four counts of aggravated robbery. The 16-year-old had an outstanding warrant in juvenile court. She was additionally charged with aggravated robbery.
Another felony takedown was conducted on the Ford as it approached the same area as the Hyundai on Danby Drive. A stolen, loaded firearm was recovered from inside the car. A stolen AR-15 rifle was also located after witnesses observed it being thrown out of the Ford. The rifle was stolen during a residential burglary in Hermitage. More than 54 grams of marijuana were also located in the floorboard of the Hyundai.
The driver, Demarion LaRosa, 18, was charged with two counts of carjacking, two counts of aggravated robbery, three counts of contributing to delinquency of minors, felony weapon possession, and possession of a controlled substance.
LaRosa’s 15-year-old male passenger was charged with four counts of aggravated robbery as well as two counts of juvenile handgun possession.
Photographs of the defendants are being withheld pending further lineups.
