NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man who led officers on a chase in a stolen vehicle across North Nashville is behind bars after he attempted to hide in a stranger’s home, officials said.
According to an arrest report, the incident unfolded on Thursday, Jan. 16 after detectives with Metro Nashville Police Department’s (MNPD) Vehicle Crimes Operations team observed a black Infiniti Q50 sedan with a temporary tag that did not come back on file near Jefferson Street and 28th Avenue North.
Detectives reportedly followed the vehicle until a police helicopter was able to get overhead and track it to a neighborhood along Hermosa Street. Officials confirmed the VIN number displayed in the Infiniti’s windshield was stolen out of Murfreesboro.
The police helicopter advised that the suspect stopped in an alley behind the 2100 block of Hermosa Street, opened the driver’s side door and was wearing a bright orange shirt. However, as detectives approached the vehicle, the driver closed the door and drove to Meharry Boulevard.
Shortly after, detectives observed the suspect in a bright orange shirt running in an alley between Meharry Boulevard and Alameda Street. An arrest report states the suspect was later spotted running to the front porch of a home in the 2500 block of Meharry Boulevard where he was quickly placed into custody after a short foot pursuit.
Minutes after the suspect —identified as 28-year-old Melvin Bryant— was taken into custody, police said they received a call from a woman who reported a man in an orange shirt forced entry into her home through the back door.
She allegedly told officers that Bryant told her he would pay her money to let him stay in the home because “people were chasing him and trying to kill him.” The victim said when she tried to leave the home, Bryant placed himself between her and the door and put his hand on her, which caused her “to fear being injured if she attempted to leave.”
Bryant reportedly left the woman’s home shortly after. Detectives said they observed damage to the back door of the woman’s residence, adding that the latch mechanism of the door frame appeared to be broken.
After being read his rights, Bryant allegedly told officers that he did not steal the vehicle and bought it without knowing it was stolen. He claimed he ran from police because he was out on bond and did not want to be arrested again, according to an arrest report.
Bryant was charged with false imprisonment, assault with fear of bodily injury, aggravated burglary, alter title and plate, vehicle theft, vandalism and evading arrest.
He is being held in Metro Jail on a $70,000 bond.
