Violent Crimes Initiative detectives Saturday night, with the assistance of North Precinct officers and a police helicopter, arrested two teens after they stole a Toyota Camry from a Whites Creek Pike market parking lot. Two pistols, one equipped with an aftermarket “switch” which allows the weapon to be fired in an automatic capacity, were recovered. The owner of the Camry told officers that he had left the keys in the car and when he came out of the store, his vehicle was gone.
North Precinct Officer Tyler Jordan relayed information to detectives that the victim was tracking his car and they responded to the area of Charlie Place and Garrison Drive. A police helicopter pilot spotted the vehicle, giving the location to ground units below.
Officers successfully deployed spike strips as the Camry, driven by Brandon Howard, 18, approached Brick Church Pike. The car drove a short distance before Howard, and two passengers, bailed from the vehicle. One passenger was apprehended near the Camry. Howard and a 17-year-old male hid next to a nearby house. The helicopter pilot provided their location to officers and they were taken into custody. Detectives recovered a pistol with a drum magazine near where the teens were hiding and the second pistol with the switch had been thrown over a fence.
Howard is charged with vehicle theft, evading arrest, and felony possession of a prohibited weapon. He is free on $18,000 bond. The 17-year-old is charged in Juvenile Court with unlawful handgun possession, vehicle theft, and evading arrest. The third passenger, who is 16, was not charged.
