While Metro police does not use ALPR’s (automated license plate readers) within its department, THP, the City of Belle Meade and the Nashville Airport police all utilize the technology, and it alerted on a stolen vehicle earlier this week at the Nashville Airport, which also led to a seizure of drugs inside the vehicle.
A dispatcher for the Nashville airport police received an alert from one of their stationary ALPR’s, which was located on the 3rd level of Terminal Drive, in front of the ticketing area. The dispatcher viewed the vehicle on their internal camera system, and relayed to Airport Police officers that a 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 extended cab was returning with a stolen vehicle alert.
Officers positioned themselves at the intersection of Donelson Pike & Terminal Drive, so the vehicle would pass them, then followed it so that a felony stop could be completed. The Driver of the vehicle, Lajuan Dante Clark, complied and was taken into custody during the stop for felony theft of property.
During search of the vehicle, officers located and seized 1.75 pounds of marijuana, which was packaged in three smaller bags, 15 glass vials of THC oil, and pills believed to be ecstasy. Clark openly declared the marijuana was his, and that he was planning on selling it.
Lajuan Dante Clark, 41, is charged with possession w/intent SCH II, possession w/intent SCH VI, theft $60K – $250K, and forgery $60K – $250K. He posted a $30K bond via Free at Last bonding, and has retained Joy Kimbrough as counsel. He is schedule to appear in court in February.
