Metro Police Task Force To Take On Violent Teen Robbers

NASHVILLE, TN -- Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson took an extraordinary step Thursday, creating a special task force charged with apprehending "what may be two separate groups of armed teenagers responsible for auto thefts, violent carjackings and personal robberies in various parts of the city over the past several days."

“Nashville and its police department will not tolerate the violent gun crime being exhibited by these teens,” Chief Anderson said. “While we ramp up enforcement strategies, it is time for parents, extended families and other stakeholders to take notice of what is occurring and do their part to stop it.”

Police said a 15-year-old charged with burglary directly threatened the lives of two Metro officers who were taking him to juvenile detention Wednesday.

“I empty my Glock when I see you on my block,” the teen allegedly told one of the officers, who asked him what he meant, to which the teen replied, “I’m going to empty my Glock into your car and (other officer’s name) car and kill your families.”

On Thursday, detectives charged 16-year-old Isaiah Lewis with Wednesday's robbery of a Green Hills salon employee and with two East Nashville robberies.

Other recent crimes involving armed teens include:

• A 32-year-old man was shot in the stomach outside the Green Hills Library on Benham Avenue Wednesday. He told police he was robbed by two armed teens.
• A 29-year-old man was robbed by two armed teens while walking on Horton Avenue around 8 p.m. Wednesday.
• Thirty-five minutes later a man and woman walking on Benton Avenue were robbed by two gun-carrying teens with similar descriptions to the Horton Avenue thieves.

Detectives also believe that Rico Ransom, the 14-year-old wanted for the attempted murder of another teenager outside Pearl-Cohn High School last week, has "at least loose ties to one of the robbery groups."

Image via Metro Nashville Police