Millwood Drive Market Padlocked by Court Order as a Public Nuisance

A Millwood Drive market and gas station that has been the scene of numerous police responses for a variety of criminal issues, including gunfire in which innocent persons were hit last September and in January of this year, today was closed and padlocked by Hermitage Precinct officers.

Egyptian Latino Market, 619 Millwood Drive (at the intersection of Millwood Drive & Murfreesboro Pike), has been declared a public nuisance in a temporary injunction and padlocking order issued Thursday by Criminal Court Judge Steve Dozier. Judge Dozier’s order provides that the business be shut down pending a hearing next Wednesday. The order prohibits the manager of the market, Meshreky Meshreky, and the owner of the property on which it sits, Hamadani Mazahir, from entering onto the premises pending further court orders.

MNPD officers responded to 848 dispatched calls for service at Egyptian Latino Market between September 2015 and September 2020, 165% more calls than at any of four other markets within a one mile radius of 619 Millwood Drive. The police department and District Attorney’s Office allege that Meshreky and Mazahir have allowed the market to be used to facilitate or overtly allow the commission of violent felonies, the distribution of controlled substances, drug use, disorderly conduct, robberies, aggravated assaults, indecent exposure and multiple other criminal violations.

Four persons were wounded outside the market last September 27 after a 19-year-old man opened fire. Three of the victims were innocent bystanders.

A shootout between men in the parking lot of the market and those across the street on January 19th wounded two innocent victims.

“The illegal activity and drain on police resources associated with this market is absolutely unacceptable,” Chief John Drake said. “Attempts to get the operator and owner to take action have been unsuccessful, essentially forcing us to resort to a padlocking order for the peace and safety of this neighborhood.”

Officers met with Meshreky on January 19 and warned him that if the situation didn’t improve, the city might take action. The same warning was conveyed to Hamadani on January 25.

The owner of a nearby business emailed officers last September about the market: “This email is regarding all the criminal activities that have been going on for years now, people on a daily basis selling drugs, robbing people, and it is just getting worse.”

In January, the manager of a nearby apartment complex emailed officers about 619 Millwood Drive: “I am sure you are aware that there was another major shooting at the gas station at 619 Millwood Drive, where two innocent bystanders were shot. I know your department has made major efforts recently in order to attempt to prevent these type issues, but what else can we do? I am at a point where people are afraid to live in our community and are moving out, as they are literally putting their life on the line just to drive past that gas station to get home.”

Also in January, a parent whose daughter attends a nearby school on Plus Park Boulevard emailed officers: “My concern is, of course, for my daughter going to school in that area, but also for her fellow students and teachers and anyone living, working or going to school there. From personal experience, she feels very unsafe anywhere in the area.”