THP officers on patrol locate Georgia fugitive near Lower Broadway
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Highway Patrol officers, working their secondary job for a private security firm, are credited for reuniting a Canadian teenager with her family and arresting a Georgia fugitive from justice.
Tuesday morning, the officers working for Solaren Risk Management patrolled a section of the Gay Street Connector a few blocks from Lower Broadway. That’s when they came across 19-year-old Caleb Bates asleep on the sidewalk.
The officers perform a welfare check and soon determine that the 19-year-old from Roseville, Georgia was wanted on charges of grand theft auto.
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Among his belongings, officers found a backpack and a flintlock gun.
“After having discussions with him it was apparent, obviously he confessed to having warrants from out of state,” said Jack Byrd, CEO of Solaren Risk Management.
While patrolling, troopers also discovered a 17-year-old Canadian girl with Bates. After careful investigation by multiple agencies, it was determined the girl was not endangered or reported as missing.
Though 17 years old, under Canadian law, officials said the young woman was considered an adult in Canada.
According to investigators, her father in Canada was contacted as to her whereabouts, and the teen and her family are being reunited.
“It’s a huge relief having them down here and having them a part of this and this proactive engagement in our community that is huge,” said Byrd.
According to Byrd, of the 185 officers who work for him, approximately 32 are members of the THP. He said the officers patrol the downtown business and entertainment district in cars and often on foot, acquainting themselves with people who live and work in the area.
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Byrd said the patrols on Gay Street might not happen on the trooper’s regular shift working for the state. “One of the things I would highlight, these troopers are down here working off duty. This is an assignment they choose to come do to be active in the downtown community and this is just one of the many ways that highlights the importance that these types of interactions are paramount.”
The suspect is currently in the Davidson County Jail being held for authorities out of Georgia. At last check, Bates’ bond was $250,000.
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