Decherd police arrest 2 vehicle burglary suspects
DECHERD, Tenn. (WKRN) — Decherd police made two arrests in connection with multiple vehicle burglaries at the Nissan powertrain assembly plant.
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On Monday, Nov. 4, the Decherd Police Department posted images to social media seeking the public's assistance identifying the owner of a vehicle that entered the assembly plant's parking lot that morning. Police said the driver was seen entering the parking lot before 5 a.m., entering multiple unlocked vehicles, and leaving at about 6:45 a.m.
On Wednesday, Decherd police made another post to social media, stating they had started to work with the Cowan Police Department due to information they received leading them to believe that the suspect vehicle was in Cowan. A Cowan officer reportedly spotted the vehicle Tuesday afternoon.
Three occupants inside the car were detained. One pistol matching the description of one stolen from the Nissan parking lot was also found inside the vehicle. Passenger Juan Caraballo had a holster on his belt and two different types of pistol ammunition in his pocket. Driver Christopher Dawson Clark stated there were more guns at his Cowan residence.
After Clark consented to a search of his residence, officers found another stolen pistol in the residence's oven, per the post. Clark reportedly told officers a backpack containing more stolen firearms was located in his bedroom, but he said the backpack allegedly belonged to Caraballo.
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Caraballo reportedly denied ownership of the backpack; officers seized, obtained a warrant for and searched the backpack, finding four pistols inside alongside magazines and ammunition. Two of the magazines discovered inside the bag reportedly fit other pistols stolen from the assembly plant's parking lot, though those weapons have yet to be recovered.
Clark and Caraballo were arrested and charged with multiple counts of vehicle burglary, theft of property between $2,500-$10,000 and trespassing.
Decherd police said the investigation is ongoing and that items stolen on Monday have yet to be recovered. If you have any information regarding these thefts, or if you are a victim that has not yet filed a report, you are asked to contact Decherd police.
