Vehicle Burglary Crew Caught in the Act by MNPD Helicopter Team—Four Arrested

Great work by an MNPD helicopter team on patrol over Madison Thursday night led to the apprehension of four teens for breaking into vehicles in the parking lot of Nashville Nightmare Haunted House as well as in East Nashville and Midtown.

While flying over the haunted house parking lot, the helicopter crew saw windows being shattered on at least three parked cars and persons diving into them to rummage for valuables. The car burglars drove away in a sedan with the helicopter following from above. After about 15 minutes of riding through the Madison area, the burglars wound up on Brick Church Pike and pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall. At that moment, undercover detectives moved in and apprehended all four after short foot chases. A pistol and evidence from vehicle break-ins were recovered from their car.

One of those arrested is an adult, Carlos E. Lancaster, 19, of Greggwood Drive. He is charged with 15 counts of auto burglary, contributing to the delinquency of minors, gun theft, and 13 counts of vandalism. He is jailed in lieu of $98,000 bond. The three others in the car, two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old, are each charged at Juvenile Court with 15 counts of vehicle burglary and 13 counts of vandalism.