Cheatham County deputies chase Nashville domestic violence suspect through woods

Andy Cordan
·2 min read

CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Cheatham County deputies chased a Nashville man with a violent domestic violence history.

According to Metro Nashville Police, in September 2023, Benjamin McMichael allegedly manhandled his girlfriend who got inside her car, with her infant son, and locked the doors.

McMichael, the woman’s boyfriend and father of the child, reportedly became more irate and jumped on her car, denting it, and eventually smashing her windshield with his fist, according to the arrest affidavit.

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The affidavit stated the woman told police she was in fear for her life and because of the damage to the car, warrants were taken out for vandalism, intimidation, and domestic assault.

Jump ahead to April 25, 2024, around 1:30 a.m. Cheatham County deputies pulled over a white Volvo driven by McMichael for a tail light violation.

When the sergeant got out to talk to the 29-year-old, he zoomed away. The car was smoking badly so the deputy gave chase at a safe speed, tracking the smoke to a dead-end subdivision with only one way in and out.

Once backup arrived, the deputies found the Volvo backed into a driveway. When they got out to intercept, the chase was on through very dark and dense woods behind the homes.

The chase lasted less than two minutes, but at times it was very intense. The body cam revealed the moments leading up to the arrest.

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Once on the ground, the suspect, told officers, “I’m done,” as he was panting.

McMichael initially lied about his name and did not remember what his outstanding warrants in Metro Nashville were about, but throughout the arrest, he was cordial and apologetic.

  • McMichael: “To be honest that’s my first time doing this. Would I do it again? Hell no, but people do dumb **** every day, so it is what it is. Sorry sarge.”

  • Deputy: “You don’t have to apologize to me, buddy.”

  • McMichael: “No no, I do owe you an apology. I made ya, I’m not gonna say I made it hard but I did make it hard. I’m sorry.”

  • Deputy: “Well that running was kinda…”

  • McMichael: “I know.”

  • Deputy: “You know, stupid.”

  • McMichael: “Yeah, but I apologize.”

McMichael was charged with numerous felonies in Cheatham County, including felony evading and criminal impersonation.

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As of Sunday night, the domestic violence suspect was back in the Metro jail under a $28,000 bond—but jail records as of Tuesday afternoon indicated he is not eligible for release at this time due to domestic violence charges, requiring at least a 12-hour hold.

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