19-year-old Miguel Fielden was caught after stealing at the Opry Mills Mall on Opry Mills Drive on July 20th. On that day, an Employee of Opry Mills reported that he had observed Fielden steal from Spencer’s. The employee stated they observed Fielden open the box to a sex toy, conceal it on his person, and flee the scene by walking past all points of sale. Fielding was then found and issued a citation that day. Fielden was later booked on the citation for theft on August 6th.
Year: 2024
DUI: Michael Rodgers hits Trolley attempting to go around it, tells police he “did not quite make it”
48-year-old Michael Rodgers drove his silver Dodge Ram into the left rear corner of a trolley tour bus on Representative John Lewis Way in the afternoon hours of August 8th. When officers arrived, they spoke with a few passengers on the tour bus and confirmed that Rodgers had struck their bus before pointing him out as the driver. Rodgers told the police he was trying to get around the bus but “did not quite make it.” During their interaction, officers noticed Rodgers showed signs of impairment and reeked of alcohol. Then, Rodgers provided them with a paper copy of his license but could not locate any of his other driver’s credentials. When officers prompted Rodgers with sobriety tests, he initially refused and just wanted to go to the hospital for a blood draw. Then, Rodgers performed poorly on the sobriety tests he attempted before telling officers he did not wish to continue. Rodgers was transported to Saint Thomas Midtown and taken into custody for driving under the influence.
Joy Woolman throws computer hard drive at roommate’s face because he was behind on rent
25-year-old Joy Woolman had a domestic altercation with her roommate, Alfred B Caston, at their shared residence on July 10th. Caston reported that Woolman had become upset with him because he was behind on rent. Caston further explained that he went outside to talk on his phone, during which Woolman threw several of his belongings outside the door. Then, he said that she came back outside with an external computer hard drive and threw it at the left side of his face, leaving a large bruise. A warrant was issued for Woolman’s arrest. Then, instead of an arrest warrant, a criminal summons was obtained for her arrest. Woolman was booked on a summons and charged with domestic assault on August 6th.
Daniel Merlin Jr. hits father in head with bottle during argument over lighter
26-year-old Daniel Anthony Merlin Jr. had a domestic altercation with his father, Daniel Merlin, on August 8th. Responding officers spoke with Merlin Jr., who admitted to attacking his father and hitting him over the head with a bottle. Merlin Jr. noted that this is what caused him to start bleeding.
Daniel Merlin told officers that he and his son argued over a lighter. Then, Daniel Merlin further explained that Merlin Jr. became angry and approached him with a knife. Daniel Merlin stated his son threatened him with the knife before putting it down. After this, Daniel Merlin stated that Merlin Jr. hit him in the head and advised officers that he wanted to press charges for the occurrence. Daniel A. Merlin Jr. was taken into custody for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Geran Yelleh gives officer Togolese passport after speeding down I-24 West in Hyundai Elantra at 90 mph
20-year-old Geran Manyodewa Yelleh was observed speeding in his red Hyundai Elantra on I-24 West near Harding Place on July 8th. Officers noticed Yelleh going 90 mph in a 70 mph zone. Officers observed Yelleh changing lanes aggressively without a turning signal. In response, officers conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, Yelleh admitted to not having a license and handed them a Togolese Passport. Yelleh did not have insurance for his Hyundai Elantra, a license plate, and did not have any registration documentation. Yelleh was then cited for the occurrence that day. Yelleh was later booked on the citation of reckless driving on August 5th.
Gabriel Ballesteros punches man in head while drunkenly banging on random doors
34-year-old Gabriel Ballesteros caused a disturbance at an Aaronwood Drive residence on August 8th. The resident called 911, stating there was a male, later identified as Ballesteros, who was banging on his door and acting violently. When officers arrived, they located Ballesteros standing next to two vehicles at another Aaronwood Drive residence. Officers then detained him for the incident. Officers spoke with the complainant, who further explained that he had left his house for a walk and was confronted by Ballesteros. He added that Ballesteros appeared very intoxicated and agitated before punching him in the head.
After this, the complainant said he went home. However, Ballesteros followed him and started banging on his door while talking to himself. The complainant added that he did not want to press charges for the alleged assault. Then, officers spoke with an additional resident, who told them that he had seen Ballesteros banging on his door as well. When the police talked to Ballesteros, they noticed he showed signs of impairment before admitting to being inebriated and having a physical altercation with the complainant. Ballesteros was then taken into custody for disorderly conduct and public intoxication on August 9th.
DUI: Patricia Ash caught with opened bottle of Jim Beam in purse after blocking traffic lane
65-year-old Patricia Ash was caught driving under the influence at the intersection of Old Hickory Boulevard and Rachels Lane on August 7th. Officers noticed a vehicle blocking a lane and conducted a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed that both passenger-side tires were blown off. When speaking with Ash, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, officers noticed her slurred speech and the smell of alcohol coming from her vehicle. When asked by officers, Ash admitted to having consumed a half glass of wine earlier in the day. Ash was then asked to step out of the vehicle and perform sobriety tests. However, she was unable to do so safely, leading to a quick conclusion. Ash was found to be intoxicated and was taken into custody for driving under the influence. While in custody, Ash was unable to provide a breath sample due to a medical condition she had, as well as her being a smoker. Additionally, officers found an opened bottle of Jim Beam Kentucky Fire inside her purse during a search of her vehicle. Ash was later transported and charged with driving under the influence and having an open container of alcohol on August 8th.
Erika Garcia flees & leaves multiple fake numbers after crashing into woman’s Jeep Cherokee
25-year-old Erika Garcia was caught after leaving the scene of an accident at Mercy Lounge on Cannery Row on July 26th. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke with Kirsten Jose, the victim. She explained that her parked Jeep Cherokee was hit and damaged in the parking lot. Jose found a note on her windshield with the message “Call me” and a phone number. However, when she tried to call, the number appeared to be out of service.
Security at the location provided officers with footage of the incident. The video showed Garcia driving her vehicle, speaking with individuals, and loading equipment into her car the day before. Garcia then got back into her vehicle, made a right turn, and struck Jose’s vehicle while driving down a lane of parking spots before leaving the scene.
Security tried to stop Garcia after witnessing the incident. However, she drove away after handing them a card with a different phone number. Jose also tried calling this number but learned it was fake. Officers obtained Garcia’s vehicle information from security via her license plate. Officers found that Garcia’s personal details and ID photo lined up with her appearance in the security footage. Jose’s Jeep Cherokee had damage assessed to be worth at least $1,500. A warrant was issued for Garcia’s arrest that day. Garcia was later taken into custody for leaving the scene of an accident on August 7th.
Wilmer Garcia charged with multiple counts of aggravated sexual battery after forcing 6-year-old girl to touch his genitals
50-year-old Wilmer Garcia was caught soliciting sexual acts from a six-year-old in June of this year. The six-year-old victim told officers that Garcia, a friend of the family, made her put her hand on his genitals when her mother stepped out of the living room. Garcia was caught when he admitted to this during a phone call with the victim’s mother. During the call, he stated that her daughter accidentally touched his genitals. The initial incident’s date is unknown; however, it is known that it occurred during Garcia’s stay inside the victim’s home. Garcia was later taken into custody and charged with four counts of solicitation of a minor and five counts of aggravated sexual battery on August 7th.
Abigail Walls steals $38 worth of merchandise from Target
28-year-old Abigail Walls was caught shoplifting at the Target on Old Hickory Boulevard on July 17th. When officers made contact with loss prevention employees at the location. The employees informed officers that they had Walls in custody and had surveillance footage of Walls committing the crime. In the video, Walls failed to scan two items and attempted to leave the store before she was stopped and detained. The stolen merchandise was valued at $38. Officers cited her for the violation that day. Walls was later booked on the citation of theft of merchandise on August 5th.