Members of Sledgehammer Crew Involved in Scores of Nashville Business Burglaries in Custody

Weeks of investigation by detectives and officers across the MNPD working to interdict a crew responsible for scores of business burglaries in the Nashville area since February came to a head overnight with the arrests of two men following the burglary of a West Nashville Starbucks and the theft of the store’s safe.

Through the investigation, detectives determined that a Honda Civic stolen from Murfreesboro and parked in an obscure place was the likely vehicle the suspects would use to commit the burglaries. The Honda became mobile overnight and was surveilled by detectives on the ground as well as a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter. The Honda pulled behind the Starbucks at 8121 Highway 100. A short time later, the Honda pulled away at a very high rate of speed. Ground units confirmed that glass had been smashed and the coffee shop burglarized.

A pursuit of the Honda was initiated on Highway 100 and traveled into Belle Meade. Belle Meade Police attempted to deploy a spike strip, but were unsuccessful. The car continued onto Davidson Drive, Shawnee Drive and then to Davidson Road. The passenger in the Honda (Keith McClellan, 28) bailed out on Davidson Road and ran into the woods. The driver of the Honda (Martincky Guerrier, 39) continued onto Bolton Drive and crashed near the intersection of Newberry Road. Guerrier was taken into custody there. A perimeter was established to apprehend McClellan. He was taken into custody after an hour-long search involving helicopters from the MNPD and THP, a Canine Unit, detectives and patrol officers.

Inside the Honda were numerous burglary tools to include a sledgehammer, prybars, masks, and the safe from Starbucks.

McClellan admitted his involvement in multiple burglaries. Guerrier declined to be interviewed. Guerrier picked up McClellan last night in an Old Hickory Boulevard parking lot in West Nashville. The pickup truck McClellan got out of was stolen from a Dodge dealership in Franklin County, Tennessee.

A judicial commissioner set Guerrier’s bond at $105,000; McClellan’s bond is set at $110,000.

This investigation involved detectives from all eight precincts and the Violent Crimes Division. It is continuing as detectives work to solidify information on other persons connected to this burglary group.