Investigation into Rash of Vehicle Thefts & Burglaries Results in 2 Arrests & Recovery of Stolen Guns

Vehicle Crimes detectives Wednesday afternoon arrested auto burglary suspects Laquarius Bumphus, 20, and Tearia Hatton, 25, both of Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee.

Detectives had been collaborating with surrounding jurisdictions regarding a rash of vehicle thefts and burglaries in West Nashville, Belle Meade, Brentwood and Murfreesboro. After receiving information provided by Murfreesboro Police Department detectives, Bumphus was located in Nashville driving his 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. He stopped at Thornton's gas station, 7102 Charlotte Pike, and exited the vehicle. When he saw officers approaching, he fled on foot but was quickly apprehended. Hatton, who was a passenger, climbed into the driver's seat briefly and attempted to leave but ultimately obeyed commands to stop. Her 1-year-old son was in the back, unsecured, but unharmed.

During a search of the Equinox, detectives recovered two handguns. Both had been reported stolen, one in Brentwood and the other in Murfreesboro. Also found in the vehicle was a key fob programmer and multiple vehicle keys. Several key fobs were identified as those from vehicle burglaries in Belle Meade and Lebanon. One of the key fobs activated a 2014 Dodge Challenger that had been reported stolen in another county but was recovered Tuesday in Nashville.

Bumphus is charged with vehicle theft, two counts of theft of a firearm, three counts of felon in possession of a firearm (he admitted to detectives that he had tossed one gun from a vehicle because it was "hot"), evading arrest, possession of key fobs with the intent to commit theft, and driving on a suspended license. Bumphus, who has multiple felony convictions in Maury County for vehicle burglaries and property theft, remains jailed on $100,000 bond.

Hatton is charged with child endangerment, attempted evading arrest, not having her son properly restrained, and driving on a suspended license. She is free on $11,000 bond.

This multi-jurisdictional investigation continues with additional charges anticipated.